Rhubarb is a group of plants that have large somewhat triangular green leaves and red stalks. Although it is generally considered a vegetable, a court decision in 1947 ruled that as rhubarb was used as a fruit, it would be classified as such.
Rhubarb contains oxalate which has been reported to cause poisoning when taken in large quantities of raw or cooked leaves are ingested. Oxalates are contained in all parts of rhubarb plants especially in the green leaves. However the stalks contain low levels of oxalates so this should not cause a problem.
Medicinally rhubarb has been used as a laxative for over 5000 years. It is also a common ingredient in traditional chinese medicine.
Rhubarb Pudding
Generally the plants stalks are cooked with sugar and are used in pies and other desserts. But there are many variations of its use and some examples include:
- Rhubarb bread
- Rhubarb cake
- Rhubarb jam
- Rhubarb soup
- Rhubarb wine
Please try out this strawberry rhubarb tarts recipe!
Video from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZK3loG2k7w
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