Cleaning Swiss chard seems like a daunting task, considering that it’s one of the country’s most precious produce. Luckily, with a few simple steps from us Swiss experts, you can get the job done quickly and effectively. So grab your favorite cheese and head into the kitchen – let’s get started!
Contents
- 1 The Process
- 1.1 Step 1: Fill the sink with cold water and add 1 tsp of salt for every quart of water.
- 1.2 Step 2: Soak the Swiss chard in the sink for 15 minutes.
- 1.3 Step 3: Gently massage the Swiss chard in the water to help loosen any dirt or debris.
- 1.4 Step 4: Strain the Swiss chard and rinse one more time with cold water.
- 1.5 Step 5: Pat the Swiss chard dry with paper towels or spin dry in a lettuce spinner.
- 1.6 Step 6: Trim and de-stem Swiss chard before cooking.
- 2 Safety Tips for Swiss Chard Cleaning
The Process
Step 1: Fill the sink with cold water and add 1 tsp of salt for every quart of water.
This cold water bath helps to remove any dirt or debris stuck to the Swiss chard leaves. To ensure maximum cleanliness, adding a bit of salt to the water can help, as salt is known to help reduce bacteria on produce as well as rid the greens of any pollutants stuck in the stalks.
Step 2: Soak the Swiss chard in the sink for 15 minutes.
Now that you’ve prepared the sink for your chard to bathe in, allow the greens to sit in the cold, salty water for 15 minutes to absorb all of the goodness it’s got to offer.
Step 3: Gently massage the Swiss chard in the water to help loosen any dirt or debris.
You can think of it as giving your chard a little massage in the water – rubbing each leaf and stem gently will help loosen any dirt or debris that has stuck to it.
Step 4: Strain the Swiss chard and rinse one more time with cold water.
Afterwards, you’ll want to strain the chard (drain the water off the leaves and stems) and rinse one more time with cold water, just to make sure that all of the dirt and debris is out.
Step 5: Pat the Swiss chard dry with paper towels or spin dry in a lettuce spinner.
Once the Swiss chard is rinsed and strained, you’ll want to pat it dry with some paper towels or any other absorbent cloth. Alternatively, you can also spin dry your chard in a lettuce spinner.
Step 6: Trim and de-stem Swiss chard before cooking.
Once it’s all dry, you can go ahead and trim off any browning or wilting leaves, as well as de-stem the leaves before cooking.
Safety Tips for Swiss Chard Cleaning
- Wash hands: Make sure to always wash your hands before and after handling and cooking Swiss chard.
- Rinse thoroughly: Always rinse your chard thoroughly with cold water. This will ensure that all dirt and debris is completely gone.
- Store properly: Store your Swiss chard in the refrigerator for up to five days. Make sure to wrap it in paper towels or any other absorbent cloth to trap in moisture.
- Remember safety: Cleaning Swiss chard may be quick and easy, but make sure to always remember safety tips like wearing gloves and making use of clean cutting boards to avoid any cuts or contamination.
Cleaning Swiss Chard isn’t as hard as it sounds – just follow these simple steps and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying our delicious produce with no worries! Don’t forget safety first, and have fun with it. Who knows, cleaning your chard might end up becoming a fun family tradition!