Tuesday, June 24, 2008

"Never rub another man's rhubarb."


Said the Joker to Bruce Wayne....After my Strawberry-Rhubarb pie post I've had several people say they had never even heard of rhubarb before that quote in Batman. Here's a little more info about this funky plant:

So....this is what rhubarb looks like when it's growing- alot like red celery. The plant dates back to 2700 BC where it was cultivated in China for medicinal purposes. The popular edible species most likely originated in Siberia and was introduced to Europe in 1608. Ben Franklin can be credited with bringing rhubarb seeds to North America in 1772 and by the early 1800's it had become a popular ingredient for pie in the Northeast. It has a wonderfully tart flavor which pairs well with sweet fruits but can also be used in savory dishes. I highly recommend experimenting with it....it's different and delicious!


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