Silly Rhubarb Question

[Tora]

Hi all :)

I inherited a big rhubarb plant and they are ready to harvest (the very first crop in my plot).
This is my first rhubarb plant and I am going to cook them for the first time (really excited ;D).
My question is, can I cook the whole stem? The part of stem close to its leave looks quite green. Am I supposed to remove the green bit??? I heard scary things about the oxalic acid in the leaves so don't want to risk it, but don't want to waste the rhubarb unnecessarily.

[Tora]

[Curryandchips]

Cut the stem just before it branches out for the leaf, then you will be fine. The amount of oxalic acid present in the stems is quite small, and is not a problem unless you suffer from arthritis or consume vast quantities of rhubarb.

Good luck and enjoy your produce !

[Tora]

Thanks curry! :)

Glad to hear I can use the whole stem. The plant (actually a clump of several plants) is huge so I should be able to cook lots of rhubarb crumble, pie, jam, etc. ;D ;D ;D

[Curryandchips]

And don't forget wine if you are so inclined. Or a rhubarb trifle instead of fruit in the bottom ... or perhaps something from the following  ... ?

http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/recipe-index.html

[CityChick]

Oh my.... never seen so many rhubarb recipes!!  Thanks Curry - that's rhubarb recipe heaven that is :D

[Tora]

Wow, fantastic web site! ;D You are a star, Curry!  :-*

[Emagggie]

What a great site ,Curry ! Made rhubarb fool at the weekend, but with sugar free orange jelly for the diabetic amongst us and soya cream for the lactose intolerant ! Both versions were delicious.How I love rhubarb. ;D ;D

[mat]

The amount of oxalic acid present in the stems is quite small, and is not a problem unless you suffer from arthritis.

Are you suggesting that if one suffers from arthritis, one should not eat rhubarb?  ???

mat