Friday Fun: Photo of the Week

This plant–which is nearly as tall as I am, though that’s not saying much—is growing in front of my neighbor’s house. It is rather common, though not often used in landscaping. If you don’t recognize it, here are a few hints:

It is a perennial that grows from a rhizome.

It has large toxic green leaves and edible red stalks known as petioles.

It is a vegetable, but in 1947 it was legally classified as a fruit in the U.S. for regulatory purposes.

It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.

Varieties of it grow in many different climates around the world.

It was first brought to the U.S. in the 1820s.

Its name can also mean a dispute or fight.

It has inspired a fad diet.

It's known as the Pie Plant and can be used to make wine. But I like it best in a crisp. Yep, it’s rhubarb. And I’m the only one in my immediate family who will eat it. 

Have a great weekend! Let me know if you bake a rhubarb pie :-)  Mmmm...pie.



Comments

D.G. Hudson said…
I've made rhubarb pie with custard in the filling, AND rhubarb with strawberries.

Tart but tasty if sweetened just enough. Rhubarb grows in backyard gardens and is sold in markets here.

Nice post!
Inger said…
We used to have it in our garden in Sweden when I was a child. I haven't tasted rhubarb in a long time. My mother used to boil it, I think. I remember a jellied consistency. Come to think of it, we never had pie. I have to check on this -- are there any pies in Sweden?
liz young said…
Rhubarb crumble is the best pudding in the world! When I am in the UK at the right time of year I will pack some to bring back with me. Yummy!
I cook with rhubarb for other people, I don't care for it myself. Most of the "other people" I refer to are from the UK. :-)
Jenny said…
D.G., I never thought to put rhubarb and custard together. Sounds tasty!

Inger, I can't believe you didn't have pie in Sweden!

Lizy, rhubarb must not grow in the tropics...?

Marcie, it's nice of you to cook with it even though you don't like it :-)
Tina said…
I'm also Swedish, and we grew rhubarb when I lived there as a kid. My favorite way to eat it is as compote over vanilla ice-cream. In a pie with strawberries is also delightful.
Thanks for coming to visit me! "I want to announce my presence with authority" is another good one...

Tina @ Life is Good
Post A-Z Road trip!

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