Um, I think the more appropriate question would be... Would Fahim notice the rhubarb pot in the fridge? Considering he's gone in the fridge once in the last week, I think not. Yeah, I could possibly do that.
But rhubarb, to grow properly, needs cold once a year, and for more than a week or two, I would guess. So are you suggesting that, at the end of the season, I pick the rhubarb plant clean and stick the whole pot in the fridge for a month and that might do the trick?
As I think about it, because my practical nature dictates that I do, I seem to recall something about if you plant the rhubarb in a pot, it needs to have at least a foot of soil deep, preferably deeper, and at least that much in diamter as well, and that would take up an awful lot of room in the fridge. Am I about right on that?
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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That I certainly would not know. The last time my mom grew rhubarb, we lived in New Jersey. And it wasn't in a pot, it was growing next to the toolshed.
Out here (L.A.), my mother never really tried growing anything other than dwarf citrus trees.
We get our rhubarb from the store. Mostly frozen.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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You know what else I'd really love to grow? Lemongrass and sugar cane. Not a lot of it - just... for the fun of it. Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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quote:Soil. Rhubarb needs deep, moist but well-drained soil. Before planting, prepare a hole at least 1.5 feet deep and 3 feet wide. Loosen the soil and enrich it with a 6-inch layer of compost. Add a handful of bonemeal if your soil is low in phosphorus.
OTOH
quote:Site. Rhubarb thrives in cool locations and full sun. In warmer climates, plants benefit from light shade but form longer, thinner stems.
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I can plant in the garden itself. Not everything has to go in pots. Mint does, of course, and I likely will with the other herbs simply for ease of use, but lemongrass or sugarcane or rhubarb can go in the ground.
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Yep, I read that article. I've been reading far more about rhubarb than I ever thought I would.
See, and it's that phrase "light shade but form longer, thinner stems" that gives me some amount of hope.
Sugarcane is a major crop in India, so I imagine I ought to be able to find it and grow it here. Same as lemongrass.
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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whoa. So sugercan can be planted... *full stop* weren't we discussing Rutabaga? Can't be well-potted, but if you've got a handy plot of soil, then there's the choise place to seed?
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quid, we get thin rhubarb in the store here. I think it's grown in TX. It is long and thinner than I'm used to, and tends to green with some pink on it and lots of reddish spots, instead of the deep magenta of "real" rhubarb. But you know what? It tastes just the same!Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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kq, that just excites me to no end. I wanted to know if the taste was the same, and there you go, just giving away that information for free before I even get the chance to ask! You're the best! Thanks! Then that eliminates that issue. Now we're down to whether or not it can be grown here.
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Oh, yay! Glad to help. I've made pie from that rhubarb, and didn't notice a significant difference in the taste, with just a leetle firmer texture, which I think would be eliminated with a little longer cooking time (or maybe pre-cooking for a bit in the case of baked goods.)
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Yeah, and the color change matters not to me at all. I'm surprised about the change in texture - I could have predicted that. Good to know. Thanks.
Edit: Er, I'm NOT surprised about the change in texture. Funny how one little word changes the menaing of the whole sentence.
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(The gingery rhubarb sauce was delicious. I had it over ice cream last night, and am thinking about having it with yogurt for breakfast. )
Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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I bought strawberries while I was out, too, and will probably make a strawberry-rhubarb tart tonight.
Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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Oh man! We bought strawberries a month or so back, and they were flavorless and sour. Ucky. Apparently, it is possible to get decent strawberries here, but not where we are, it would seem.
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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...where you are. *jealous of CA strawberry goodness* Ours here don't taste right, not to mention being underripe and not even red all over...
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Well, it's been aeons since I actually got fruit-stand strawberries *mouth waters at the very notion* but yeah, even the supermarkets here get pretty decent strawberries this time of year.
Not so much rhubarb though. Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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I talked to a couple of women from church today, and the consensus so far is that rhubarb can't be grown in my area - it's just too hot. Although, because I'm the stubborn sort, I'm likely to give it a try anyway if I can get the rhizome. One of the woman I spoke to is helping me on my quest. I ought to have an address of a seed place by Sunday from her. Oh, the joys of being connected to people in the know!
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Maybe you could force it in the fridge, then plant it in a giant pot indoors, where it would get some shade? Or make it a tent...
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Oooh, that reminds me that I need to replace the rhubarb plant that I killed before my mom notices. Oops...and it was such a nice plant and I really do love rhubarb.
Posts: 1777 | Registered: Jan 2003
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Christy Yeah, good luck! I hope you know which variety she had... (Aw, now I've gone and made you worry. That wasn't nice, was it? *slap*)
kq, I've thought about it, about forcing it in the fridge. The place we're moving to has a much larger fridge, so I might be able to. I'm really not sure.
But I suspect that the rhizomes will be cheap enough that if it doesn't work, I can try again.
Gee, Eljay, we've completely and totally derailed your thread. There is no redemption!
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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I always fed rhubarb to my goats when well-meaning neighbors brought it over... then there's always Roundup.
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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This is a recipe we worked up in a restaurant I worked at.
Rhubarb Chicken
Rub whole chicken and roast in oven util done Remove from oven Cook a few cups of chpped rhubarb in skillet with about half cup white wine until very soft and falling apart Add salt,pepper to taste. While simmering,scrape the pan drippings and some of the chicken fat into the mixture while whisking.It will emulsify the fat much like a beurre blanc. You may use butter instead of drippings if you what to use chicken breasts instead. Serve with chicken. You don't have to pick ALL the rhubarb,you know. You can just leave it.
Posts: 39 | Registered: Aug 2002
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I know. But still, I should at least make an effort. Thank you, that sounds delicious. Although I will probably be making it with chicken breasts, as a whole chicken is an awful lot.
Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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See, rivka, my comment was going to be "You've known him for how long and you don't know how he feels about rhubarb?!?Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Make sure you fluff in plenty of drippings or butter as that will make it taste less tart. A pinch of cardamom is nice also. Yes to roasted thighs.
Posts: 39 | Registered: Aug 2002
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Tie large bundles of it around your body when putt-putting on yer hawg. Then all them folks pokin' fun at yer garb might shame ya into investing in a set of leathers.
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quids, in my defense, it did take me a couple of days to finish it. The only thing that took any time was stacking the silly things, and I actually had it two higher and it fell over before I could take a picture. Couldn't get it any higher than that again.
Added: And the tart only took, like, a sixth of what I picked. I do have some chicken quarters in the fridge, maybe that will be dinner tonight...
Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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I have always loved rhubarb pie - no strawberries, just the tartness. Serve it with vanilla ice cream to offset it, and it's the perfect Katie dessert.
I'm so sad I didn't see this thread earlier. Any chance to swipe some fresh rhubarb? Will pay shipping. Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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Hey, Eljay, I just thought it was funny and cute. You know. That log house thingy is like something I would do, you see... The pie, on the other hand, just looked downright nummy. Mmm!
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Yeah, I could possibly do that.![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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We bought strawberries a month or so back, and they were flavorless and sour. Ucky. Apparently, it is possible to get decent strawberries here, but not where we are, it would seem.
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You couldn't have fed it to someone who liked it? For shame!
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