Rhubarb Treats and Other Uses

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Contributed by Angela Cleveland

Rhubarb is a plant that isn’t enjoyed by everyone. Cooked improperly, it can be bitter and stringy. However, when cooked properly, rhubarb can be a tasty treat!

Rhubarb has been growing in the wild in China and Tibet for over 2,000 years. It can also be found in cultivation throughout Europe and North America. Initially, it was cultivated for its medicinal qualities. During the 18th century, rhubarb was grown for culinary purposes in Britain and America. Although rhubarb is often thought of as a fruit, it is actually a member of the vegetable family.

Oxalic acid is what gives rhubarb its bitter taste. A large amount of this acid can be found in the leaves, and a small amount can be found in the stalks. Although this acid is poisonous, the amount found in the stalks are not harmful. This acid can also be found in cabbage, spinach, beet tops, potatoes, and peas. With the high amount of acid found in rhubarb leaves, they can be used to make an effective organic insecticide for any of the leaf-eating insects such as cabbage caterpillars, aphids, peach and cherry slugs etc (see recipe below).

Organic Insecticides

Recipe 1

Boil up a few pounds of rhubarb leaves in a few pints of water for about 15 or 20 minutes, allow to cool, then strain the liquid into a suitable container.

Dissolve some soap flakes in this liquid and use it to spray against aphids.

Recipe 2

Shred 3 lbs. rhubarb leaves and boil in 3 ˝ L of water for 30 minutes.

Allow to cool and then strain - use old utensils if you can - the rhubarb will stain most things and poison the rest. In a small saucepan, heat to boiling point 2.5 liters (2.5 quarts) of water and mix in 125 g (4 oz) of softened soap ends (any bits of soap left in the shower). Allow to cool stirring regularly making sure all the soap is dissolved.

Add to the strained leaf mixture, stir vigorously, and the spray directly onto infested leaves.

The unused spray can be kept for a day or two, but keep your kids away its still quite harmful.

Ingredients

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Instructions

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