Food for Thought: Swiss Chard

What is Swiss Chard, Why you Want to Eat it, and How to Cook it 3 Ways

ORIGIN & HISTORY

Swiss chard originates from a wild beet that naturally grows in the Mediterranean. The original variety has been traced back to Sicily. While Swiss chard is not from Switzerland, “Swiss” was added to the crop’s name to distinguish it from French spinach by the 19th century.

“It’s unclear just how old Swiss chard is, but several sources mention Aristotle giving a shout-out to red-stalked Swiss chard around 350 BCE, and that both his Greek colleagues and Roman counterparts revered it for its medicinal prowess.” In Ancient times, it was used to treat allergies, constipation, and general pain. Swiss chard has been grown both as a vegetable crop and also as an ornamental, due to its beautiful leaves and colorful stems.

HEALTH BENEFITS & SEASON

Swiss chard is high in phytonutrients that are known for their anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and disease-fighting benefits. In addition, Swiss chard is extremely high in vitamin K, vitamin A (from beta-carotene), vitamin C, and antioxidants, which make it a good source for healthy digestion, eyes, skin, heart, and immune function. “One cup of cooked Swiss chard has more than three grams of protein and half our daily needs…