Rudimentary Rhubarb

Rhubarb, known as the "pie plant," is a misunderstood vegetable. The perennial plant is as decorative as it is versatile. Preferring cooler climates, rhubarb is the first plant to provide an edible vegetable in the spring. It can also be found in the frozen foods section of most supermarkets. Once people discover the flavor and uses, they quickly forget about the idea that rhubarb is evil.

The background of rhubarb is interesting, as are its alternative uses. The University of Illinois Extension claims that rhubarb dates back to 2700 B. C. Rhubarb's medicinal qualities are used as a natural remedy for many conditions.

According to The Rhubarb Compendium, the vegetable played an important role in Chinese medicine, as well as during wartime. When China and Britain were fighting the Opium War, a letter was written by the Chinese Imperial to Queen Victoria warning her that if the British did not stop trading opium, they would no longer have access to rhubarb and its medicinal uses. The threat did not work.

Drugs.com notes that the fiber rich rhubarb helps to lower lipids and cholesterol. It also reports that several gastrointestinal problems, including upper GI bleeding, have seen benefits as a result of rhubarb. It was once used as a laxative, but professionals warn that modern physicians no longer consider rhubarb for this purpose. However, Chinese herbal medicine still uses rhubarb in its therapies. Many caution that the Chinese variety differs from others found throughout the world

The Rhubarb Compendium lists alternate uses for rhubarb from cleaning pots to artwork. Those seeking green alternatives will be happy to know that rhubarb is environmentally friendly and can actually help to destroy chlorofluorocarbons. Discover Magazine reported that "Robert Crabtree and Juan Burdeniuc, chemists at Yale, have discovered a simple, safe method for disposing of the ozone-eating chemicals."

Many fear the rhubarb because they have been lead to believe that the vegetable is poisonous. The fact is that only the leaves of the plant are toxic because they contain oxalate. (Be sure to keep pets away from rhubarb plants!) The vegetable may become contaminated should frost hit the plant, but under normal conditions, rhubarb stalks are safe. The vegetable, shaped like celery stalks, is quite tasty in a variety of recipes.

Most commonly paired with strawberries, rhubarb can be used in recipes from wine to dessert. If you're tempted to try the tasty vegetable, perhaps this recipe from The Rhubarb Compendium for Minted Berry-Cherry Rhubarb Compote may inspire you.

Minted Berry-Cherry Rhubarb Compote
Ingredients:
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup dry red wine
1/2 cup sugar or to taste
1 1/2 pound rhubarb, sliced
1 cup dried, pitted cherries
1 pint raspberries
4 whole fresh mint leaves
6 sprigs fresh mint

Procedure:
In medium saucepan combine water, wine, sugar, rhubarb, and cherries. Bring to a boil, then simmer about 10 minutes or until rhubarb is tender. Remove from heat and stir in raspberries and the 4 mint leaves. Let cool completely. Remove mint leaves and chill. Serve garnished with mint sprigs.
Serves 6
Recipe � RhubarbInfo, 1996-2003

Make the planet, and your tummy, happy. Eat some rhubarb!

Sources:
Discover Magazine, June 01, 1996 "Rhubarb to the Rescue" URL: http://discovermagazine.com/1996/jun/rhubarbtotheresc801 Accessed June 18, 2007

The Rhubarb Compendium, URL: http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/ Accessed June 18, 2007

University of Illinois Extension Urban Programs, "Rhubarb" URL: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/rhubarb1.html Accessed June 18, 2007

Drugs.com, "Rhubarb" URL: http://www.drugs.com/npp/rhubarb.html Accessed June 18, 2007