Nutrient-packed chard is a leafy green vegetable that’s easy to prepare and cook.
It can also be enjoyed raw.
Learn how to choose, prepare and cook chard.
Photo: Getty Images / Claudia Totir
If you’re hungry for options beyond spinach and kale, load up on some chard!
Read on to find out how to effortlessly choose, prepare and cook chard.
How to Choose the Best Chard
Chard is sold in bundles.
Look for firm stems and bright and glossy leaves free of blemishes, yellow or brown spots.
Chard leaves can be crinkly, but withered leaves are a sign of aging and should be avoided.
How to Prep Chard
To keep chard fresh, it should bestored much like spinach.
Fresh chard can last about one week after purchase.
Wrap the leaves with paper towels and place them in a plastic bag before refrigerating.
For the stems, just wrap them and refrigerate.
Keeping chard fresh also requires keeping it dry.
Wash chard only when ready to prep it for eating.
Washing in advance increases wilting.
If the chard leaves become damp, use a paper towel to dry the leaves.
Can You Eat Chard Raw?
Choosing to eat chard raw or cooked depends on your taste and textural preferences.
you’re free to enjoy chard raw likespinach, kale and lettuce.
As with spinach and kale, chard is earthy, but its bitterness is less intense than kale’s.
Baby chard and smaller chard leaves are best for salads for their tenderness.
The colored stems of chard certainly add visual appeal to any salad dish.
Then, dice the stalks into pieces about 1/4-inch thick and toss them together with roughly chopped leaves.
Since chard stems are rather tough, they require a few extra minutes to cook and become tender.
Chard pairs well with an array of ingredients, such as garlic, shallots,walnutsand olives.
If you love cheese, consider pairing chard with goat cheese and ricotta.
Looking for side dish ideas other than kale and spinach?
Chard blends well with pasta and mixed-entree dishes.
They are also ideal for dry cooking methods such as stir-frying.
you’re free to also add chard stems to stir-fries.
Chard pairs well with a range of ingredients, such as red chile and garlic.
It is an ideal substitution for kale and spinach, perfect for adding to your rotating roster of vegetables.
