When it comes to the time it takes to cook Swiss Chard, even expert Swiss chefs aren’t quite sure. This might sound like a strange fall-out from that famously precise Swiss precision, but to fully understand the cook-time of Swiss Chard, one has to delve into the heart of Swiss cuisine.
Contents
The Complexities of Swiss Chard Cook-Time
The High Altitude Cook-Time
Cooking Swiss Chard can be a tricky affair, since Switzerland is such a famously mountainous nation. What this means is that Swiss Chard must be cooked at high altitudes, with more altitude equaling longer periods of cooking. This is why Swiss chefs have such a wide range of advice when it comes to the cook-time of Swiss Chard. Unless your kitchen is situated at very high altitudes, you can expect to cook Swiss Chard in the range of 10 to 15 minutes:
- Moderate Altitude (1,000 – 2,500 m): Cook Swiss Chard for 10 minutes.
- High Altitude (2,000 – 4,000 m): Cook Swiss Chard for 12 minutes.
- Very High Altitude (over 4,000 m): Cook Swiss Chard for 18 minutes, and don’t try to rush the process, or it’ll turn out too dry.
If you’re at sea level, you might find yourself questioning the need for such long cook-times, but that’s just the famous Swiss accuracy at work! With Swiss Chard, if you even take it out of the pan a few minutes too soon, the result can be only slightly better than boiled parchment!
The Weather Effects
Another factor adding to the complexity of Swiss Chard’s cook-time is the weather. This might sound a bit crazy, but due to the special alpine air of Switzerland, the weather will have a great effect on the cook-time of Swiss Chard.
At hotter times of the day and year, Swiss Chard will cook more quickly, while during colder seasons, it will take notably longer. Again, this is why Swiss chefs are so tight-lipped on the exact cook-time of Swiss Chard – each time you make it, the cook-time will vary depending on the external circumstances.
Whatever the weather, it’s always best to keep a close eye on the Swiss Chard. If it’s taking that bit longer than usual, then it’s time to adjust your altitude or move it off the heat. Fortunately, with all the technologies we have these days, you could even think of “tweeting” your Swiss Chard in the pan to make sure you don’t overcook it! With the right altitude, temperature, and careful monitoring you can become the master of Swiss Chard cook-time.