CHARD
Chard, with its vibrant stalks and rich green leaves, is not only visually stunning but also packed with nutrients.
Chard is easy to grow and can thrive in a variety of climates, making it a great choice for beginner gardeners.
Chard produces leaves throughout the season when you continue picking them regularly, giving you a long-lasting harvest.
How to store your chard
STORAGE
Eat baby leaves on the same day they are picked as they will not store well. Store chard in the fridge in a plastic bag to maintain moisture. You can also store it in a jar of water if you see that the leaves are wilting.
DRYING
Dehydrate leafy greens like chard, lettuce, spinach, and kale to make green powder. In a dehydrator, place leaves on a sheet and dry at 40°C for 4-8 hours. In an oven, set it to the lowest temperature, leave the door slightly open, and cook for 2-4 hours, checking for burnt leaves. Store in a dry, dark jar for up to a year. Add to dishes just before serving, without cooking.
FREEZING
Freeze chard leaves and stems together or separately (stems take longer to cook). Wash, dry, and chop the chard. For chunks, place them directly in a container in the freezer. For separate parts, spread on a sheet, flash freeze for 1 hour, then transfer to a container. To preserve flavour and colour, blanch the leaves for 30-60 seconds and stems for 1-2 minutes before freezing.