Rhubarb Recipe Round-up

About 2 weeks ago the weather tricked us into thinking that spring had arrived. The temperatures began to climb and people started to rub their eyes and crawl out of the spaces they have spent the winter hibernating in. For me, that was most certainly our basement parked right next to our wood burning stove.

During one of these milder days, I did a lap around my garden. It is not a very large garden so the lap didn't take all that much time. But during perhaps the second lap, my spirits were buoyed by the fact that I saw the first glimpses of my rhubarb plants pushing up through the soil.

Very shortly after that discovery, the weather dipped quickly, dropping back down below zero and mother nature decided to bless us with yet another snow fall. Sigh. I quickly ran back down to the basement and parked myself right next to the wood burning stove.

My next lap around my garden was just after the snow once again FINALLY melted. Where had my rhubarb gone? It had slipped back down under the soil waiting for warmer temperatures. Can't say that I blame it -it didn't have a wood burning stove to warm up beside.

But ever since that first sign of my rhubarb plant, I have been tasting fresh rhubarb like a mirage in my mind. And I find it difficult to remain patient. Hurry up Rhubarb, I want to scream from my bedroom window each morning in an effort to coax it along.

If you are as anxious as I am to see your rhubarb in full bloom here are some recipes for you to ponder as we all wait patiently together for spring to completely arrive.

Pineapple Rhubarb Jam - the combination of pineapple and rhubarb is a fresh combination that I think sounds like a great alternative to the tried and true Strawberry Rhubarb.

Straight up Rhubarb Jam - while rhubarb pairs beautifully with so many different flavours, it truly does stand well on it's own. This simple recipe only requires 2 ingredients...how easy is that?

Pickled Rhubarb with Ginger - this is a flavour combination that has my tastebuds delighted just at the thought. Just imagine the amazing 'pop' these would add to a summer salad.

Rhubarb Cordial - fast forward to the middle of June when you are sitting outside on your front porch, in your back yard, at the cottage or even just in your kitchen. The sun is beating down and you need something to quench your thirst. Well, this ought to do it!

Stewed Rhubarb - if you are like me and happen to plan ahead for what you will preserve now so that you are surrounded by your favourite flavours all year round, this recipe is perfect. But please note it requires a pressure canner.