If you’re from Switzerland, you may be familiar with the vegetable that goes by the name Swiss Chard, but even if you’re not from Switzerland, you may still have heard of it and wondered what it looks like. Swiss Chard is a slightly sweet vegetable with full, leafy greens and beautiful, crunchy stems. Let’s explore what this popular vegetable looks like and how to add it to your dishes.
Swiss Chard (or spinach beet, sea beet, and silverbeet) is a vegetable that belongs to the same family as beets and spinach. It comes in many different colors, ranging from white, yellow, and red to shades of green, and all of its parts are edible. The crinkled leaves have texture similar to spinach, while the stalks can often range from dark green to ruby red. Unlike beets, the leaves of Swiss Chard grow separately from the stalks.
Swiss Chard has a mild flavor with a hint of pungency. The stalks have a slightly sweet taste with a slightly crunchy texture, while the leaves are slightly bitter and tender. If you’re looking for a bit of crunch to add to your favorite dishes, Swiss Chard is a great option.
If you ever need to identify Swiss Chard at the store, just look for bright, large leaves with a colorful, chunky stem. It can be found in bunches at most produce sections and can be prepared fresh or cooked. The best part is that you can use both the leaves and the stalks!
And if you’re looking to get a bit creative with it, Swiss Chard can also be pickled, juiced, steamed, roasted, sautéed, and boiled. It pairs great with playful ingredients like sweet potatoes, lemon, garlic, bacon, feta cheese, and of course, Swiss cheese. In the end, your plate is sure to be an edible work of art (a funny one at that!)
Whether you’re looking for a hint of crunch, some vibrant colors, or just a delicious vegetable to add to your favorite dishes, Swiss Chard is a wonderful choice! Not only is it incredibly versatile, the unique flavor combined with its many color varieties make this vegetable a great addition to any recipe.
Now that you know a bit more about what Swiss Chard looks like and how to incorporate it into your dishes, you can serve up some seriously tasty meals – and have a great time doing it too!