Learn how to prepare and cook rhubarb perfectly every time!

Rhubarb, this attractive, long-stemmed leafy vegetable, is often the star of desserts. It has a strong bitter flavour, which is why it is served with something sweet for balance.  

People often ask, can you eat rhubarb leaves? Unfortunately, no. The beautiful dark green leaves should never be eaten as they are toxic to humans and pets. 

Rhubarb Season

Rhubarb season is from April to July. It can be eaten earlier in the year if the rhubarb is “forced." This is where they are grown in the dark to “force” the slacks to grow faster. Forced rhubarb is said to be sweeter than garden-grown rhubarb, so it may be a better choice when making sweet desserts. 

What to look for when buying rhubarb

Choose rhubarb that is firm, not bendy. It should look healthy with no spots or bruises. The colour of the stalks (green or pink) does not impact the flavour. Can you eat raw rhubarb? Yes, dip the rhubarb batons in sugar like you dunk chips in tomato sauce.

Keep rhubarb in the fridge and it will stay fresh for a week. Leave the rhubarb on the counter if you are planning to use the rhubarb in a few days. For long-term storage, freezing is the best option. Chop into 1-inch pieces, blanch, and dry. Lay the rhubarb pieces flat on a tray and place them in the freezer till frozen. Transfer to a freezer bag for easy rhubarb recipes.

How to cook rhubarb

Want to know how to cook rhubarb healthy? To transform your rhubarb into fantastic pickle, cakes, or desserts you will need to prepare it:

• Remove and throw away the poisonous rhubarb leaves
• Remove any stringy fibrous strands
• Clean the rhubarb under running water
• Dry the rhubarb with a clean paper towel

Now it’s prepped, it's time to discover new and healthy recipes. 

Cooking Rhubarb

There are many ways of cooking rhubarb such as microwaving, stewing or baking. First of all, chop the rhubarb into chunks or batons. Chunks cook quicker and are better for stewing. Whereas batons cook slower and are best for roasting and or poaching. 

How to stew rhubarb

Wondering how to stew rhubarb? Weigh the rhubarb and put it in a pot. Add enough sugar so that it equals a third of the weight of the rhubarb. Add 2 tablespoons of water. Stir and leave to cook on low medium heat for 15 minutes. If you put the ingredients in a microwavable dish the same method can be used for how to cook rhubarb in microwave. The stewed rhubarb should be cooled and served with homemade vanilla cake and juice.

Checking on your rhubarb when it is cooking is the best tip to help you to know how to cook rhubarb without it going mushy. When rhubarb cooks it releases a lot of moisture. So only a little water (if any) is needed.  

Thinking about how to cook rhubarb without sugar? Try artificial sweeteners or sugar alternatives such as honey and agave nectar.

What rhubarb goes with

Rhubarb desserts are a firm favourite. The tangy, sour flavour of stewed rhubarb can top a sweet and light pavlova. A comforting rhubarb crumble and a hot cup of chocolate is like a hug on a winter's day.

Rhubarb pairs well with bold flavours. Ginger and cardamom are suited to savoury dishes. Rhubarb chutney served with cold meats packs a punch. Rhubarb is so versatile that it can be eaten for breakfast as a smoothie or with crunchy granola. 

Enjoy more of these rhubarb recipes below

• Rhubarb Milk
• Brandy Snaps and Rhubarb Stacks
• Spring lamb rack with caper and herb crust and rhubarb compote
• Rhubarb Cheesecake
• Rhubarb & Date Chutney
• Homemade rhubarb cake