Swiss Chard, Brain Health & Nutrient Density
In the world of leafy greens Swiss chard is often outdone by its popular cousin, kale. Like other hearty leafy greens, chard is considered one of the most nutritious vegetables in the world. Swiss chard can positively impact blood sugar, work as an antioxidant, counteract inflammation, scavenge free radicals and support bone health. Swiss chard should become a cornerstone of any plant based diet.
This relative of the beet is a superb source of dietary fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, as well as magnesium, potassium, and iron. It makes a colorful and tasty side dish, or a nutritious addition to pasta, soup, quiches, and casseroles.
On a scale of nutrient density, raw Swiss chard provides 79 kilojoules of food energy. When chard is cooked by boiling, vitamin and mineral contents are reduced but still deliver the goods. Swiss chard is a nutritional superstar.
Nutrient-dense foods such as chard are highly valued for their anxiety- and depression-relief properties. Swiss chard is an inexpensive way to get brain-healthy nutrients that affect your emotional and mental state.
Fresh young chard can be used raw in salads. Mature chard leaves and stalks are typically cooked or sautéed; the bitterness fades with cooking, leaving a refined flavor which is more delicate than that of cooked spinach. In Hawaiian cuisine, chard is commonly cooked with taro root and coriander in a light broth. In Turkish cuisine, chard is cooked as soup.
Soil quality is very important in the cultivation of Swiss chard because of its ability to uptake any elements into its leaves. Versailles Farms is blessed with incredibly nutrient-rich soil. Thanks to the glacier that receded across Greenwich over 10,000 years ago we're sitting on top of 200 feet of beautiful black biomass. Our harvest typically begins in the late summer and lasts into the fall. We pack our chard in micro-perforated bags with pinholes to allow the greens to breathe in the refrigerator.