Market Watch: Rainbow Chard

My CSA box is erupting with gigantic bunches of this leafy green veggie. This variety of Swiss chard has fluffy, tender green leaves and edible stems bursting with color and flavor.
pasta with chard

FN_Giada De Laurentiis Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Swiss Chard and Pecorino Cheese.tif

Food Network Giada De Laurentiis' Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Swiss Chard and Pecorino Cheese recipe.

©2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

My CSA box is erupting with gigantic bunches of this leafy green veggie. This variety of Swiss chard has fluffy, tender green leaves and edible stems bursting with color and flavor.

Chard is low in calories and packed with nutrients like potassium, iron and vitamins C and K. Use it anywhere you would used cooked spinach—the flavor is similar, only chard is slightly bitter (in a good way).  And don’t forget those beautiful stems, they just need a few extra minutes of cooking—add them to the pan or pot a few minutes ahead of the leaves.

My top 5 favorite things to do with Swiss chard.

  1. Sauté with olive oil, garlic, and a splash of balsamic vinegar
  2. Use sautéed leftovers (see #1) for a pizza topping -- my hands-down favorite!
  3. Add to stir-fry
  4. Wilt into tomato sauce and serve over pasta
  5. Add to soup
Recipes to try:

Next Up

Market Watch: Artichokes

It's worth breaking through artichokes' spiky exteriors to get to their delicately flavored leaves and hearts.

Market Watch: Sweet Cherries

How to use up all those sweet cherries from your farmers' market while they're still in season.

Market Watch: Pears

Pick up a few varieties of these delicate Autumn gems next time you're at the market.

Market Watch: Radishes

Don't underestimate the nutritional and culinary punch of the seemingly-humble radish.

Market Watch: Grapes

Locally grown grapes look different than anything I’ve seen at the grocery store. I picked some up this week to see what they were all about.

Market Watch: Fiddleheads

They sure are funny-looking, but fiddleheads are a truly unique market find. They’re only available for a few short weeks a year so get ‘em while you can!

Market Watch: Tomatillos

Keep an eye out for these tangy little fruits encased in papery husks next time you're at the farmers market.

Market Watch: Cauliflower

It may seem like a boring, ordinary veggie, but cauliflower has extraordinary flavor and it’s packed with nutrients – go snatch some up at your farmers market this week.