What is Swiss Chard?
Swiss chard, also known as chard, is a green spinach beet with large leaves as well as leafy blades that are often white, red or yellow in color. The leaf blades can often be cut, cooked and eaten separately from the leaves.
When is Swiss Chard in Season?
While Swiss chard is widely grown and available all year round, its peak season is during the summer months, when it can be abundantly found at farmers’ markets, vegetable stands and organic markets.
How to Cook Swiss Chard
Basically, you can use chard in recipes that call for spinach, as the leaves wilt when cooked in a similar manner to spinach leaves. One of the most common ways to cook Swiss chard is by sautéing the leaves with garlic or other veggies in a stir-fry, but it’s also excellent baked in lasagnas, added to pastas and melted with cheese in omelets.
What Does Swiss Chard Taste Like?
Next time you want to make a recipe with spinach, why not try something different and swap out the spinach for Swiss chard instead? While the leaves have a bitter taste when raw, they develop a sweeter, milk flavor when cooked down.
Best Swiss Chard Recipes
From appetizers such as Swiss chard potato soup and lentil and chard soup, to lighter meals like Swiss chard salad with ancient grains and Swiss chard salad wraps, to heartier recipes such as Swiss chard rice pilaf, there are endless ways to use up this healthy veg! Here are 37 easy rainbow and Swiss chard recipes to enjoy this summer season. Make sure to pin your favorites and dig in! Next Up, 42 Healthy Summer Recipes You’ll Want to Eat on Repeat
