What do you do with a giant patch of rhubarb?
You pick some and make rhubarb nectar! I've been making this each spring since the kids were young, if I've had enough rhubarb on hand. This year's rhubarb is the biggest I've ever grown and I put it down to the gallons of comfrey 'tea' that I brewed last year and fed to the plants. It was waist high...a record for me.
I got the ingredients ready and yes, that's white sugar, but I only use a fraction of what the original pioneer recipe calls for...
Everything is chopped and thrown into a large pot of water with cinnamon and nutmeg (I'm going to try fresh ginger with the next batch)...
Then it's simmered for half an hour until the rhubarb becomes mush...
The next part involves lining a colander with a large piece of cloth, pouring in the stewed mixture, lifting the edges of the cloth and letting the juice drain out. I couldn't manage to hold the cloth and take a photo at the same time. The juice is then returned to the pot and the sugar is added. Now the concentrate is ready to be bottled...
The colour never ceases to amaze and delight me...rhubarb pink and nectar of the gods.
Ohh, that looks so good. I can almost taste it. I love rhubarb in any way shape or form!
Posted by: Marie | May 23, 2008 at 11:18 PM
What a gorgeous color! Can you describe how it tastes?
Posted by: gwensmom | May 24, 2008 at 12:27 PM
hey wellies,
this is kevin. cara's spousal unit. i just came into the office and cara left your web page up.
i just want to thank you for all the fantastic things you send in the mail. i'm wearing the vancouver frog freakout shirt right now. i have a wish on my lap and (today) the sun shines. i can't think of any better vibes to send you, yours and your garden.
i cant' wait to meet you one of these moons!
Posted by: kevin | May 26, 2008 at 08:26 AM
gwensmom....
it tastes like summer...it's divine
Posted by: dilling | June 01, 2008 at 05:32 PM
I love the color too! My grandma Hattie Mae grew rhubarb and we had us some pie and cobbler! man those were the days! I will always think of you too, now when I see it, Rhu- Barb! I love you! Happy summer time, darlin!
Posted by: calamity kim | June 02, 2008 at 09:30 AM
You're inspiring me to plant rhubarb again after years of not having it in the garden. I have a rhubarb recipe that was my grandmother's. Let me know if you want it.
Posted by: Just Plain Jane | June 04, 2008 at 09:48 AM
How interesting! Now what or how do you use it? Jelly?
Posted by: donnalee | June 10, 2008 at 08:19 PM
donnalee...this is a concentrate that you mix 1:4 parts with carbonated spring water for a refreshing and cleansing drink.
Posted by: Barb | June 10, 2008 at 09:37 PM
My mouth is watering...
Thinking about starting a veggie garden. I will definitely add rhubarb :-)
Posted by: Mindful Mimi | June 16, 2008 at 07:52 AM
That certainly was an impressive looking ruhbarb patch and the colour of the bottled nectar devine.
Posted by: carolyn | July 09, 2008 at 03:44 PM
It look so so delicious, that colour is gorgeous!!
Posted by: Steph | July 26, 2008 at 02:06 AM
I miss your posts...I am sticking your box in the post this week- cheers to Green Wellies & Co!
My Grandkids are down from Tn so I am happy! I will be heartbroken when they leave all too soon...
anyway! Its mermaid week at my Blog- if you have time- stop by.
xxxooo
kim
Posted by: calamity kim | July 28, 2008 at 03:39 PM
I planted rhubarb this Spring and will have to remember this recipe. And the tip for feeding with comfrey tea.
The color is amazingly beautiful!
Posted by: Katie | July 29, 2008 at 06:45 PM
I had a large patch on my front and planted something over it and it did not come back...now I am sad...I REALLY need to make this!
Posted by: Gina | August 12, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Wow, what a lovely post. Those photos of pink-bliss are wonderful.
My rhubarb simply will not grow.
What am i doing wrong??
I recently went on a Garden Tour and posted some photos if you have time, take a look.
Happy Summer!
Posted by: Becky | September 02, 2008 at 05:30 PM
me again,
I wanted to share with you that Martha is having a blog contest. Perhaps you'd like to join in!
( i tried to leave a link to my blog but your "comments" won't allow HTML . . . so please hop on over to my blog to see what i wanted to share with you about the blog contest.
i think Martha will like your blog too!
Have fun!
~~Becky
Posted by: Becky | September 21, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Oh how I wish we had ruibarb in Portugal! I've searched and searched and nothing! I've only had them once and loved them right away :)
Posted by: sara | October 01, 2008 at 01:26 AM
mm looks gorgeous! Wish I hadn't put all mine in crumbles now!
Posted by: Bev | October 01, 2008 at 03:03 PM
I'm hoping that by commenting six months late you'll be encouraged to start posting again - unless you've started another blog that I've missed!
I have a recipe for banana rhubarb crisp that's wonderful. I also think it freezes quite well (since it's not something I ever eat raw). I love rhubarb, and I have to say, buying it has always gone against the grain - someone in the family always had a rhubarb patch and a bumper crop. You always put the leaves over the roots to keep them from burning, I hope.
Posted by: Ruth Seeley | November 17, 2008 at 06:21 PM
O your blog is simply the BEST! I've got you bookmarked. Now I am hoping and praying you return soon as I see your last entry was in May. Hoping all is well and so looking forward to future posts.
smiles
"LiBBy"
Posted by: LiBBy BuTTons | December 24, 2008 at 05:45 AM
That colour IS gorgeous! I love rhubarb but I never know what to do with it beyond putting it into some baking.
Posted by: Charmaine | January 24, 2009 at 09:18 PM
Hello...I just found your website after seeing some photos on flickr...would you please, please, please put up your recipe in full?! My Mom made this when I was little or something like it...I would love to know how make this for my own family...
Posted by: betty | February 07, 2009 at 08:48 PM
It's been a while since my last visit and that's way to long. It's always so lovely to take a sneak peak in your garden. At this moment it's still winter and cold around here, so seeing your your pictures make me longing for summer even more!!
Rubarb is just jummy, never thought about making it into juice thow, so thanks for this tip which I certainly will try out later this year. And not only because I would love to see this color in real life :)
Posted by: Marieke | February 21, 2009 at 03:54 AM
You're right about the color being amazing, wow! Wish I had a sip right now!
Posted by: marilyn phillippi | February 22, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Wishing that the joy of Spring will bring new post from you.
I come back everyday to check...like a kid who believes in magic and in simple prayer!
Blessings
Posted by: betty | March 06, 2009 at 07:28 PM