The High Price Of Rhubarb

[Henry]

Well, Debbie Flemming got us going on the Rhubarb, so when I went to the city yesterday, decided I would pick up some Rhubarb so I could make a strawberry rhubarb pie.  Whew!!!!  If you haven't bought rhubarb lately, the price is $3.49 a pound.  I bought 1.85 pounds and it cost me $6.46.  I know I bought too much, but I like rhubarb sauce and Cristy Meunier had sent me a recipe for rhubarb bread that I have never tried yet.

I used to by it from John & Marlene McCoy who used to live in the Potvin house and sold it to Ben Albee & Chelsea Clark.  Can't remember what I paid for it back then, but it was quite reasonable.  With my luck I probably bought ORGANIC and didn't realize it.

Every year I say, I'm going to plant some rhubarb, yet every year goes by and I don't think about it until the next spring.  After yesterday, I think I will get serious about it this year.  It isn't anything that takes a lot of care and having raised it down at the old house at 80 Fletcher Road, I know it sure does multiply and is one of those things that requires no care.

[Judi]

Henry, I am pretty sure I saw some rhubarb plants at River Berry Farm stand.

[cedarman]

I'm sure there are people who post on here who have rhubarb running amuck in their garden or on the edge of the lawn, and would be happy to sell some for a couple dollars.

I just started some rhubarb this spring, but won't be picking any until it's established next year.

[Henry]

Old Farm Houses didn't have septic tanks as most had outhouses, so you would find the rhubarb patches near the kitchen sink outlet drain.  Apparently this provided the moisture that rhubarb seemed to like.  I believe when I was thinking more seriously about planting some a while back, they suggested I prepare the patch with a lot of organic material and let it rot for a year before planting the rhubarb in the patch - From there on its on its own.

[Rev. Elizabeth]

Okay, Henry.  I will trade you some rhubarb for that rhubarb bread recipe. 

[Henry]

Now, I haven't tried this recipe, but Donna tells me it is absolutely delicious and very moist - It does look like a lot of work to me, but I certainly would volunteer to give my unbiased opinion should anyone want it.  Of course that would mean I would have to taste it.

Kris (Meunier) DeSantis's Rhubarb Bread Recipe

Ingredients:
1egg
1 cup honey
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup orange juice
1 1/2 cups finely chopped raw rhubarb (I usually add a little extra)
3/4 cup chopped nuts
2 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp powdered ginger

Preheat over to 350 F. In a mixing bowl, beat the egg with the honey, melted butter, and orange juice. Stir in the rhubarb and nuts. Sift together the flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and ginger. Combine dry and wet ingredients, stirring just to mix. Pour the batter into 2 small to medium-size, greased loaf pans. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until the tops feel springy to the touch. Cool bread in pans 10 minutes before removing to cool on a rack.

Hope you enjoy it! Kris (Meunier) DeSantis

[melissabeerworth]

Nicole Swanson will probably have some for sale at the farmers market this Saturday.  She had it priced at $2 for a good size bunch.

[chelseaclark]

I am renovating the rhubarb beds at our place.  You may have some good competition on your hands though because my kids seem to like to harvest a stalk every time they head out to the garden. They haven't quite made the connection that leaving enough rhubarb for a pie might actually be worth waiting for! (They are 5 and 2 1/2 and like to chew on it raw.)  Hopefully we'll be ready to share next summer!