A to Z Challenge: R is for Rhubarb

I'm back! In case you missed it, I'm taking part in the 10th anniversary of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, the annual event where hundreds of bloggers write 26 blogs—one for each letter of the alphabet—and post them each day of the month, except Sundays. I’m blogging about: THINGS THAT GROW IN ALBERTA. Leave a comment on my blog, Facebook page, or Twitter for a chance to WIN a set of the Superman Duffy books.


Missed a post? Click here start back at the letter "A."

R is for Rhubarb 

Rhubarb grows like a weed in my grandma’s garden. Seriously. No matter how much my grandpa “cuts it back” every year, Grandma is always harvesting it. Which, I suppose, isn’t so bad because she makes muffins, and pies, and cookies, and even a delicious rhubarb cake that makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable (so it grows back every year)—though, like a tomato, it's also thought of as a fruit. And while the stalks are perfect for baking, the leaves, if ingested, are poisonous.

Grandma says rhubarb grows so well in Alberta because it thrives in cooler temperatures. Throughout the summer, it needs a lot of water (that’s one of my many chores when I’m at my grandparents’ place…) but really, it’s one of the most low maintenance crops on their farm. That cluster of plants has been around for so long, I doubt anything could kill it…even me forgetting to water it once or twice.

Any rhubarb growing in your garden? What does your family use it for? Baking? Juice? Barbecue sauce?

Speaking of cooking, comment below or on any of my social media links above for a chance to WIN a set of the Superman Duffy series of graphic novels, including TASTING MY STORY—part cookbook, part mystery, it's one of my favourites!

Gotta Jet! The Blogging from A to Z Challenge breaks tomorrow because it's Sunday, but I'll be back Monday with the letter "S." Until then, hoppy Easter! 

~ Chase Superman Duffy