Pickled Rainbow Chard Recipes

PICKLED RAINBOW CHARD

Steps:

• Trim leaves from Swiss chard; save for another use. Cut stems into 2-in. pieces; place in a large heatproof nonreactive bowl. Add onion, pickling spices, celery seed and mustard seed. , In a small saucepan, combine sugar, vinegar and water; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute, stirring to dissolve sugar; pour carefully over chard mixture. Cool completely. Refrigerate, covered, overnight, stirring occasionally.

SEARED RAINBOW CHARD WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Cut stems from chard (if leaves are large, cut out coarse portions of rib), then cut stems crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
• Stack chard leaves and roll into cylinders. Cut cylinders crosswise to make 1-inch-thick strips of leaves.
• Heat butter and oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté chard stems and leeks with sea salt and pepper to taste, stirring occasionally, until slightly soft, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add chard leaves and continue to sauté, stirring frequently, until wilted. (If greens begin to brown before they wilt, sprinkle with a few drops of water.).

WILTED CHARD WITH PICKLED RED ONIONS

Steps:

• For the onions: bring a kettle of water to a boil. Place onion slices in a colander, and pour boiling water over. In a bowl, combine remaining ingredients, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add onions, submerging them by placing a plate on top; if more liquid is needed, add equal amounts of vinegar and water. After about 15 minutes, onions will turn bright pink. (Recipe can be made to this point and refrigerated for up to 3 days.)
• For chard: bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Cut stems off chard, and set aside; slice leaves across into wide ribbons. Working in batches if necessary, boil leaves until tender but not mushy, 3 to 7 minutes. Boil stems separately. Drain in colander.
• To cook, heat oil in a wide skillet. Add garlic cloves and chard leaves and stems, and heat through, turning to coat evenly with oil. When hot, transfer to a serving dish, and top with some pickled onions, garnishing with peppercorns. Pass more onions at table.

LEMON-GARLIC RAINBOW CHARD

Steps:

• Separate the stems of the chard from the leaves. Cut the leaves into thin strips and set aside. Thinly slice the stems.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Stir in the sliced garlic, red pepper flakes, and chard stems, and cook for 3 minutes until the flavor of the garlic mellows and the stems begin to soften. Stir in the shredded chard leaves, cover, and cook 5 minutes over medium-low heat. Stir, recover, and continue cooking until the chard is tender. Toss with lemon juice to serve.

PICKLED SWISS CHARD STEMS

Steps:

• Toss chard stems, shallot, and salt in a colander set in the sink. Let stand 1 hour. Rinse and drain well.
• Meanwhile, toast mustard and caraway seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until mustard seeds begin to pop, about 2 minutes. Let seeds cool.
• Bring vinegar, sugar, and 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan; let cool slightly. Pour brine into jars. Let cool slightly, then cover and chill.
• DO AHEAD: Pickles can be made 2 weeks ahead. Keep chilled.
• Pickled Green Papaya Use the same salting method and brine, but instead of chard stems and shallot, use 1 sliced seeded peeled green papaya (about 1 lb.). Omit mustard and caraway seeds, and use 2 red or green Thai chiles and one 1"-piece peeled turmeric or ginger, thinly sliced. Pickled Banana Chiles Use the same salting method and brine, but instead of chard stems and shallot, use 1 lb. fresh banana chiles (cut a long slit in each pepper to allow brine to penetrate) and 1 sliced peeled carrot. Omit mustard and caraway seeds, and use 1 garlic clove.

CHARD STEM PICKLES

Steps:

• Place the chard stalks in a jar or bowl.
• In a large bowl, combine the rice wine vinegar, sherry vinegar and sugar. Bring the water to a boil, remove from the heat and add to the vinegar and sugar mixture. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the salt and stir well. Pour over the chard stalks, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 days before eating and for up to 2 weeks. Shake the jar from time to time or, if you use a bowl, place a saucer on top of the chard stems to keep them submerged. Remove from the brine with a slotted spoon to serve.