Ideas for using Swiss chard?

Question

I need new ideas for the chard growing in my garden. What do you do with it? TIA!

Answer 1

Swiss Chard Ravioli With Basil Pesto Sauce

Serves 4

For pasta:

2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup water

2 eggs

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp salt

For sauce:

2 c. fresh basil leaves

2 lg. garlic cloves

1 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

6 tbsp. freshly grated Romano cheese

1/4 c. pine nuts or walnuts

1/2 c. high quality olive oil

Salt and pepper

For filling:

6 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

5 cloves garlic, chopped

(or 1 tbsp jar chopped garlic)

1/2 lb red Swiss chard, stemmed and chopped

3 15-oz containers ricotta

4 cups grated Pecorino Romano cheese

(or Parmesan)

Salt and Pepper

2 eggs, plus 2 tbsp water, for egg wash

First prepare pasta:

In a large bowl with wooden spoon, stir 2-1/4 cups flour with remaining ingredients to make a stiff dough. On a well-floured surface knead dough until smooth and not sticky. Wrap dough with plastic wrap and let rest 30 minutes.

Meanwhile prepare sauce.Combine basil, garlic, cheeses, and nuts in food processor or blender. Process to mix. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Process to desired consistency. Let stand 5 minutes. (Thin pesto with 6-10 tablespoons cream.)

Prepare filling:

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; Sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add Swiss chard; toss until wilted and tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and cool 10 minutes. Mix in ricotta and 2 cups Romano. Season with salt and pepper.

Cut pasta dough in half. Roll out both halves of pasta dough very thinly (about 1/8") on a floured board. Cover one half with a damp towel to prevent drying. Drop filling by tablespoon, about 1" apart, on one sheet pasta dough. Brush other sheet of pasta with egg wash. Gently place second sheet of pasta, egg side down on top of first sheet. Gently press around filling to seal. Using a ravioli cutter, biscuit cutter, large cookie cutter, or a sharp knife, cut ravioli. Let cut ravioli rest 10 minutes.

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the ravioli and boil until the ravioli are al dente. Drain, toss gently with the sauce and serve, passing extra sauce, and extra Romano cheese.

Note:

You can substitute any green for the Swiss chard. You can also substitute any tomato or cream sauce for the spicy one here.

You can also make the ravioli ahead of time and freeze them. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet covered very well with plastic wrap. When frozen, place in zip top plastic bags.

Answer 2

You can blanch it and freeze it for winter.