Rhubarb: Vegetables and Fruits for Health the Pyramid Way

You know that summer is on its way in Maine when the rhubarb stalks are large enough to gather. This tart stalk, colored deep red and topped with broad, bright-green leaves, grows in backyards and around farm buildings without much attention. Keeping plants well-fertilized is all that’s needed. The plants can usually be ignored until it is time to pick a few stalks for sauce, a springtime treat, or a tart rhubarb pie. The brightly colored stalks can be found in supermarkets as well as in farmer’s markets during the season. Some children even like to chew the stalks freshly picked.

Rhubarb, a spring tonic for vitamin C and calcium, is an easy and versatile fruit to use, although it provides only a moderate source of fiber. One of the drawbacks is that because it is so tart, most recipes call for more sugar than most other desserts. As with other fruits, 1/2 cup cooked rhubarb is considered a serving. A serving without sugar is only 29 calories, but with sugar it is 139 calories. By combining the stalks with sweeter fruits, like strawberries, the sugar content can be lowered quite a bit.

Field-grown rhubarb is on the market shelves between April and June in most areas. Choose stalks that are well-colored, good-sized, straight, and firm. Sometimes, rhubarb is sold with the leaves attached; they should be fresh-looking and crisp. Avoid stalks that are wilted or flabby.

After cutting off the leaves, wash the stalks. Store them in a plastic bag in the crisper of the refrigerator. Use within one week. (Caution: Rhubarb leaves contain a toxic substance that makes them poisonous. Be sure the leaves are removed before using the stalks. Discard them without cooking or eating.)

The two popular cooking methods include baking and stewing for sauces. Rhubarb sauce is made by placing the cut pieces in a saucepan. A stainless steel or Teflon^™-coated pan is preferred. Rhubarb is highly acid and may react to some metals such as aluminum. Add 2/3 cup of water to the pan, and bring to a boil. Add 4 cups of cut rhubarb (six to eight stalks). Reduce heat, and simmer over low heat for about five minutes, or until rhubarb is tender. Add sugar to taste; between 3/4 and one cup is sufficiently sweet for most people. If you like less sugar, start with a smaller amount and taste-test the fruit before serving. Cold rhubarb sauce will not taste as sweet.

Rhubarb Crunch

Serves: 9

1 cup flour
3/4 cup oatmeal, quick-cooking
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup margarine, melted
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 cups rhubarb, cut into 1-inch slices
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, margarine and cinnamon until crumbly. Press half of mixture in the bottom of a 9X9-inch pan. Layer the rhubarb on top. In a separate pan, combine sugar and cornstarch until smooth, then add the water and vanilla. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is thick and clear. Pour the sauce over rhubarb. Top with remaining crumbs and bake at 350°F for 50 to 60 minutes. Serve warm.

Nutritional content per serving:
212 calories
7 g fat
small amounts of calcium,
phosphorus and iron

Rhubarb-Strawberry Topping

Serves: 5 (1/3-cup servings)

4 cups rhubarb, cut in one inch chunks
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
2 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
3 cups strawberries, sliced
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

Combine first three ingredients in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes or until the rhubarb is tender. Combine 1 tablespoon water and cornstarch; stir well, and add to rhubarb mixture. Bring to a boil, stir constantly, and cook 1 minute or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in strawberries and vanilla. Serve warm or chill over custard, low-fat ice cream, or angel food cake.

Nutritional content per serving:
64 calories
0.6 g protein
0.3 g fat
16 g carbohydrate
1.4 g fiber
43 mg calcium

For more information, contact your University of Maine Cooperative Extension county office.

©1997, 2007
Published and distributed in furtherance of Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Land Grant University of the state of Maine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Cooperative Extension and other agencies of the U.S.D.A. provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.

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Last Modified: 08/13/08
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