A Perfect Addition to Your Summer Spaghetti
By Brennan
With summer in full swing, our gardens are bursting with vibrant, nutrient-packed greens, and one of our favorites is Swiss chard. This leafy green is not only beautiful with its colourful stems and dark green leaves, but it’s also incredibly versatile and packed with vitamins and minerals. Today, we’re excited to share how you can incorporate Swiss chard into a simple and delicious summer meal: Spaghetti with Swiss Chard.
Why Swiss Chard?
Swiss chard is a nutritional powerhouse, loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as magnesium, iron, and dietary fiber. Its slightly earthy flavor pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes, making it a perfect addition to your summer menu.
How to Prepare Swiss Chard
- Washing and Chopping: Start by thoroughly washing the Swiss chard to remove any dirt. Pat dry with a kitchen towel. Separate the leaves from the stems. The stems are edible and add a nice crunch, so don’t discard them! Chop the stems into small pieces and roughly chop the leaves.
- Sautéing: Heat a little olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped stems first, as they take a bit longer to cook. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they start to soften. Then, add the leaves and continue to sauté until wilted, about 2-3 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Check out the recipe below for a simple, flavourful dish for a light summer meal.
- Storing and Freezing Swiss Chard: Not ready to use your Swiss chard right away? No problem! Fresh Swiss chard can last up to a week in the refrigerator. To keep it fresh, store it in a plastic bag or container with a damp paper towel to maintain its moisture. If you want to save it for later, Swiss chard can be easily frozen. Blanch the leaves and stems in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain and pat dry, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. This way, you can enjoy Swiss chard’s nutritional benefits even after the growing season has ended.
Here is a simple, inexpensive, yet flavourful dish is perfect for a light summer meal. Summer Spaghetti with Swiss Chard.
Summer Spaghetti with Swiss Chard:
Course: Around the Farm4
servings30
minutes15
minutes435
kcalIngredients
1 pound spaghetti
1 bunch Swiss chard, washed
4 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup pine nuts or rough chopped wall-nuts
1 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano reggiano
Salt and pepper to taste
2-6 tbsp butter
Directions
- Prepare the Swiss chard by washing, then stripping the leaves from the stem. cut the leaves into roughly 1 inch wide strips. Slice the stems thin. Gather the rest of your ingredients, and grate your Parmigiano cheese.
- Cook the spaghetti in heavily salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside. Reserve some cooking water.
- In a large pan, wok, or pot heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add pine nuts toasting until lightly browned and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and chilli flakes, cooking just until they become fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the chopped Swiss chard stems and a pinch of salt to the pan and sauté until they begin to soften. Then, add the chopped leaves and sauté until wilted.
- Turn the heat down to low and add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce. Add the raisins, and mix in half of the grated Parmigiano cheese.
- Adjust the consistency of your sauce by adding pasta water to thin it, or adding butter to thicken it. You want the sauce to be a consistency where it coats the pasta like a gloss. Taste the sauce and see if it needs more salt.
- Remove from heat and plate. Garnish with remaining grated Parmigiano cheese.
Notes
- If you are looking for an inexpensive dish you can simply leave out the Pine Nuts, or substitute with Walnuts.
This simple, yet flavourful dish is perfect for a light summer meal. The Swiss chard adds a wonderful texture and earthy taste that pairs beautifully with the garlic, pine nuts and Parmesan. Plus, it’s a great inexpensive way to incorporate more greens into your diet.
We hope you enjoy this delicious and nutritious summer spaghetti with Swiss chard. Don’t forget to visit our new Recipe section on the website for more inspiring ways to use the fresh produce from your farm basket.
Happy cooking!
Brennan
Little Farm Cart