Is rhubarb the world's most ironic vegetable?

Question

Is there anywhere that rhubarb will not grow? And does it serve any genuine practical or asthetic purpose at all?

Answer 1

I thought that spinach was actually the most ironic.

During the war it was advertised as containing more iron than any other vegetable and a whole culture was built around its marvellous properties. (OK, that's the pun out of the way!)

The real irony is that the boffin who did the tests for iron misplaced a decimal point and, actually, spinach has no more iron than any other green vegetable! Ah well, where would we be without Popeye?

Tinned spinach is most popular in Germany, apparently.

Ah, now rhubarb ...

It won't grow in desert conditions or in the arctic. It likes rich, damp soil and moderate temperatures. Large leaves make great temporary umbrellas and the plant is excellent at keeping down weeds. The bright red stems are very attractive (though frequently hidden by the leaves). It should be planted more often as a foil for other foliage in wide borders and walks, since, once established, it requires very little attention. The flower head, though not spectacular, is quite pleasing and lends a vertical element which can be architectural in a bed of mainly recumbent plants.

As a culinary article, it is too often despised, its reputation having been spoiled by a lack of understanding. When the stems are young they should be bright red and the cut surface should be a creamy white. Then it is tender and less acid and has more flavour. As it becomes more mature, the stems take on a greenish hue when cut and are only fit to add to the compost heap. The leaves should NEVER be eaten, since they are poisonous. The stems, and especially the young stems, are, however very edible, though they should always be cooked.

As a vegetable and as a base for a country wine, rhubarb blends well with other flavours, particularly ginger and orange. A properly made rhubarb pie or tart with the addition of the zest and juice of an orange and a half a teaspoon of ground ginger is a dish worthy of royalty.

Practical Note:
Husband: Look dear, I have made a lovely rhubarb and cheese flan, won't you try some?

Wife: Thank you, it looks delicious. I thought rhubarb was pink not green, though.

Husband: It's a new recipe I found on the Internet.

Wife: Well, I will try some. Aren't you having any?

Husband: Later. I just have to attend to the glue on the grandfather clock I'm making. It can be setting whilst I eat. You go on and have yours, I won't be a moment :)

Wife: Grandfather clock, is it? I wondered what it was you were making. It looked rather like a coffin to me.

The rest of the conversation was, unfortunately, lost due to the arrival of a large van with blue flashing lights.

Answer 2

I don't know if there's really a place that rhubarb will not grow, but it does serve a purpose. It served for medicinal purposes back in the day, they used the roots to purge the body (so as a laxative I'm guessing).

Go to this website for more info: http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/rhubarb-history.html

One thing I do know: I LOVE rhubarb, lol. I eat it raw all the time :) Sour but man it's good.

Answer 3

Well, ironic may not be the word, but curious...yes. Young shoots make GREAT pies, old shoots and leaves will give you a trip that you may not come back from. This stuff is hard to get started, but once it is well seated, it is like a weed. I love rhubarb pie..sweet and sour at the same time.

Answer 4

Rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb......mmmmmmmmmmm.......rhubarb, err, what was I saying? Ah yes, I think it will grow most anywhere, just like weeds, and yes, the leaves are poisonous and the long red bit is lovely with custard. :)

Answer 5

Rhubarb is a fruit not a vegetable. A tomato can be classed as a fruit or a vegetable!

Answer 6

Oh you right, absolutely right with this question.
I never washed for 6 days once and i found some rhubarb behind my foreskin.
I gave it to my mother for a pie,tasted like cheese.

Hey you below me.. enough with the tomatoes.. you little minxx

Answer 7

I love rhubarb too. It's lovely. I prefer it raw to cooked, but any way is just plain nice! Grow some tastebuds you rhubarbophobes!

Answer 8

both are roughly the same except when it comes to protein. MOST veggies include a good amount of protein; fruits does not.

Answer 9

The word fruits has different meanings depending on context.

Answer 10

Leave rhubarb alone, you big veg hater....it's delicious with a bit of crumble & custard....