My rhubarb went limp! What to do with it?

EmilyC added almost 2 years ago

This rhubarb-crumble pie is so fantastic, and I don't think it will matter if your stalks are a little limp: http://www.marthastewart...

Come to think if it, when I made this a few weeks ago, my stalks weren't super crisp either, but it turned out just fine. I threw in some strawberries. So, so good.

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Helen's All Night Diner added almost 2 years ago

You can try refreshing the stalks in a basin of cool water for 30 minutes or so. That should perk it back up. There are lots of wonderful recipes at: http://www.rhubarbinfo...
We had lots of fun at our Boston Rhubarb event... sounds like you did, too!

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JAM!!!!!!

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We made a strawberry-rhubarb compote with ours, and it goes great over ice cream. Since the rhubarb was going to be cooked down anyway, I'm sure it won't matter that it's a little past its prime.

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While Peter no longer works for Food52 he still thinks up ways to make the website better.

added almost 2 years ago

I imagine that rhubarb, like celery, usually goes limp when it loses some of its water content. The same solution then should work -- trim the end and stand it in some cold water.

That said, pretty much every application of rhubarb will cook the heck out of it and lose most the water anyway so maybe just adjust your cooking time down a moment or two or add a dash of water if things look too thick.

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susan g added almost 2 years ago

http://www.food52.com/recipes...

I thought this was wonderful, and you have just about the right amount of rhubarb. In this and other recipes, by the time you're finished cooking it in liquid, the (ahem!) exchange of fluids takes care of the limpness.

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nomnivorous added almost 2 years ago

Thanks for all the stalk refresher tips, I will give that a go before I cook with it.
Helen, thanks for the rhubarb site. And the NY event was indeed lots of fun.
Peter, thanks for the rhubarb knowledge. It's still a new ingredient to cook with for me.
Susan G, that recipe looks mighty intriguing! Is it more sour than sweet? An equal balance?

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susan g added almost 2 years ago

To me it's balanced, so you could put it out as a meat sauce or pour over ice cream. When we finished the first jar, I sliced onions and put them in it, which my husband is enjoying on sandwiches, with eggs... good stuff!

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