How to Select Swiss Chard
- Select Swiss chard bunches with sturdy, glossy leaves free of spots, blemishes, or wilting.
- Check the stems before purchasing Swiss chard. Select bunches with firm, brightly colored stems. They may be vibrant shades of red, yellow, or pink.
How to Store Swiss Chard
How To Store Fresh Swiss Chard: Store your fresh Swiss chard unwashed in the refrigerator. Excess water from washing causes faster spoilage, so only wash Swiss chard when you’re ready to cook. Loosely wrap chard in a damp cloth or paper towel and place in an unsealed plastic bag. Store in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, where it will keep for up to 10 days.
How To Freeze Swiss Chard: Wash the Swiss chard and separate the leaves and stems with your hands or a sharp knife. Blanch the leaves by holding them in boiling water for 1 minute using tongs or a colander. Immediately dunk into cold water. Drain in a colander, then squeeze the chard bunches with your hands to wring out the water. For easy storage, form bunches into baseball-sized balls, then place on a cookie sheet and cover with plastic. Freeze for 1-2 hours, then place all chard balls in a sealed plastic bag and remove excess air. Freeze for up to 12 months.
