Yet Another Cycling Forum

Random Musings => Miscellany => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: matthew on 10 April, 2015, 11:38:25 am

Title: Rhubarb
Post by: matthew on 10 April, 2015, 11:38:25 am
Well when I brought my house I found a rhubarb plant in the garden. Last week I harvested 1.2kg of the stuff and it looks like I could take a similar crop tomorrow! Not sure what I am going to do with it all.

I think when it comes to winter I think I shall be dividing the plant as there are too many crowns in close proximity.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: Pancho on 10 April, 2015, 04:19:31 pm
Crumble.

I'm not really a big rhubarb fan but when boiled up with the requisite hundred weight of sugar, it makes a lovely crumble. Which, being a 1970s pleb, I eat with copious evaporated milk.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: Jaded on 10 April, 2015, 05:09:12 pm
I love rhubarb, but it is Agent Picolax for me. So I eat it sparingly.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: matthew on 10 April, 2015, 05:13:25 pm
The first crop made a rhubarb and Apple pie and four jars of rhubarb and ginger jam.  :thumbsup: All good, consuming the rest could be limiting.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: Tail End Charlie on 12 April, 2015, 02:59:34 pm
When stewing the rhubarb add some Pernod or Cointreau sparingly. Then put some white chocolate chips in the crumble. I guarantee you'll then eat some for breakfast and you'll never have too much rhubarb.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: Poly Hive on 12 April, 2015, 08:06:33 pm
Had our first crumble tonight... lovely.

PH
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: Bledlow on 12 April, 2015, 11:02:38 pm
Our rhubarb is flourishing, & I think we'll have some soon.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: matthew on 23 April, 2015, 09:19:28 pm
Third batch harvested yesterday, I'm picking it like spinach (little and often so the next leaves grow through). Added some strawberries to make a crumble. No you can't have any as there soon won't be any left. *burp*
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: pcolbeck on 05 May, 2015, 10:41:33 am
Just dunk the stalks in a cup of sugar and chew. Thats what we did as kids anyway.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: sojournermike on 05 May, 2015, 02:20:42 pm
Third batch harvested yesterday, I'm picking it like spinach (little and often so the next leaves grow through). Added some strawberries to make a crumble. No you can't have any as there soon won't be any left. *burp*


But don't eat the leaves!
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: ElyDave on 30 October, 2015, 08:05:55 am
If you're a homebrewer it makes a very good wine, never fail recipe as well.  Ends up a bit like a sauvignon blanc.

Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: DDCyclist on 14 November, 2015, 04:26:13 pm
Is it normal for rhubarb (bought this year, planted in well-manured soil, and left well alone to settle in) to die right back for the winter?

Is there anything I need to do? Put some straw or other insulation over it? Or just leave it (while I dream of rhubarb crumble) until it sprouts again next year?
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: Wobbly John on 14 November, 2015, 04:45:55 pm
Yes, it dies back over winter. You don't have to do anything but some people put garden compost round it. Keep the crown free from rotting material.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 15 November, 2015, 09:51:08 am
Yes, it dies back over winter. You don't have to do anything but some people put garden compost round it. Keep the crown free from rotting material.
Wobbly John is right. Don't worry about it, it will look after itself.
Remove the rotting leaves (I DO put mine in the compost).
In a few years, now is the time to divide your root - more plants, and share the love!
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: Andrew on 15 November, 2015, 11:07:28 am
If you're a homebrewer it makes a very good wine, never fail recipe as well.  Ends up a bit like a sauvignon blanc.

That's interesting. I might give that a go.

I was juicing it, with ginger, for a while but ended up with bottles of the stuff that I didn't drink.  We have too much rhubarb yet, at the same time, not a great deal. There's only so much crumble one can eat. Besides, burying it in sugar doesn't seem like an answer to me. Ditto jam.

I have to say though that generally speaking I didn't click with the ' grow your own' philosophy. All that boiling, seiving, sugaring, bottling - jeez, felt like the next step was building the fall out shelter. We've still got jars of stuff from years ago, it'll probably get binned at some point.

No, I prefer to buy fresh locally the amount I need as I need. Most of the rhubard that grows in our garden goes on the compost heap these days.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: ElyDave on 15 November, 2015, 08:21:03 pm
If you're a homebrewer it makes a very good wine, never fail recipe as well.  Ends up a bit like a sauvignon blanc.

That's interesting. I might give that a go.

I was juicing it, with ginger, for a while but ended up with bottles of the stuff that I didn't drink.  We have too much rhubarb yet, at the same time, not a great deal. There's only so much crumble one can eat. Besides, burying it in sugar doesn't seem like an answer to me. Ditto jam.

I have to say though that generally speaking I didn't click with the ' grow your own' philosophy. All that boiling, seiving, sugaring, bottling - jeez, felt like the next step was building the fall out shelter. We've still got jars of stuff from years ago, it'll probably get binned at some point.

No, I prefer to buy fresh locally the amount I need as I need. Most of the rhubard that grows in our garden goes on the compost heap these days.

PM me if you want the recipe, unless you have a copy of CJJ Berry's First Steps in Wine Making?
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: jamesld8 on 09 March, 2016, 01:00:33 pm
Yes, it dies back over winter. You don't have to do anything but some people put garden compost round it. Keep the crown free from rotting material.

what`s happened to ours though ? when bought house mid 2014 there were two rhubarb plants which were OK , not prolific; in 2015 got a couple of late pulling ie late Summer. Bought 3 new plants in 2015 and planted (but didn`t harvest anything ) which have just started to push their crowns through; but of the 2 original not a blinking sign of anything  ::-)
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: Morat on 26 March, 2016, 09:43:01 pm
Rhubarb and Ginger Jam! Delicious stuff. Just be sure to cut the rhubarb into short lengths before you boil it up or you end up with very long stringy jam! :)
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: drossall on 26 March, 2016, 11:18:46 pm
Definitely crumble. With custard. Or ice cream, sometimes, just for a change.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: rogerzilla on 23 April, 2016, 09:43:29 pm
Just dunk the stalks in a cup of sugar and chew. Thats what we did as kids anyway.
It's what we did too.  I don't like it cooked.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 04 May, 2016, 12:44:11 pm
Just dunk the stalks in a cup of sugar and chew. Thats what we did as kids anyway.
It's what we did too.  I don't like it cooked.
We got sections of egg boxes to hold our sugar.

I believe rhubarb goes well with mackerel, for those who like that sort of thing.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: matthew on 04 May, 2016, 01:26:19 pm
First harvest of the year was given to mum when dad was going away (he doesn't like rhubarb). Second harvest made rhubarb and ginger crumble for a family gathering and was compensation to mum that she had to cater for dad's event (trial pitching of the new tent).

I'll probably stew a couple of stalks for my consumption on friday.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: Martin109 on 06 May, 2016, 04:50:23 pm
Just dunk the stalks in a cup of sugar and chew. Thats what we did as kids anyway.
It's what we did too.  I don't like it cooked.
We got sections of egg boxes to hold our sugar.

I believe rhubarb goes well with mackerel, for those who like that sort of thing.

Would you use root ginger and sugar for this, or maybe stem ginger in syrup?
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: Wobbly John on 06 May, 2016, 07:37:11 pm
Would you use root ginger and sugar for this, or maybe stem ginger in syrup?

What, to go with mackrel? It's usually a rhubarb chutney that is served with mackrel.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: matthew on 06 May, 2016, 07:48:17 pm
for the crumble I used stem ginger in syrup. Chop the stem ginger and use some of the syrup to sweeten the rhubarb when stewed.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: SteveC on 06 May, 2016, 08:17:53 pm
I'm sure I've had rhubarb with just a little ground ginger with mackerel.
Mind, MrsC likes both rhubarb and mackerel but doesn't fuss too much when she's cooking, particularly if making something up.