[From the 2026 Home & Garden Magazine]
Hello my Foodie Friends!
Over the years of writing articles and stories, I have shared my love of movies. As a child, one of my favorite shows to watch was “Batman” with the actor Burt Ward as Bruce Wayne. So, when the movie “Batman” came out in 1989 with Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson, it brought to life the love I had for the Batman comics and character. The movie was so quotable, especially with Jack Nicholson playing the iconic part of the Joker. “Never rub another man’s Rhubarb”- meaning: Don’t mess with my girlfriend! Joker stated this to Batman. As I rewatched this movie recently, the quote actually reminded me of my love for rhubarb. As a child, my parents’ backyard would get lots of sun, so my mother was able to have a large vegetable garden that included tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers, squash, string beans, strawberries, and rhubarb. I always was willing to help with the garden since I knew that my mother would create something magnificent from what was grown in it. The garden was essential and contributed to what we would eat for dinner.
The one plant that I loved taking care of in that garden was rhubarb. My siblings would often dare each other to eat raw rhubarb. At first, I was suspicious of chomping down on this pink plant. But quickly I learned to coat it in sugar to get the best of its sweet and sour offering. When my mom asked us to bring in some rhubarb from the garden, we knew we were going to get one of her delicious pies. It was an easy plant to take care of and our little friends in the neighborhood would help harvest it in hopes of getting a slice of that delicious pie. I would love to eat the stalks raw so it was double the fun. I have cherished memories of pulling the fresh stalks from the garden and dipping them in sugar, making it a perfect spring snack.
Here are some fun facts
about Rhubarb:
It is a vegetable that has a rich history. It has vibrant red stalks and carries with it a mix of culinary, medicinal, and cultural significance. It is technically a vegetable used in pies, jams, and sauces. Only the stalks are edible since the leaves are considered toxic if ingested. Rhubarb is rich in vitamins K and C, calcium and potassium and makes a healthy addition to both sweet and savory dishes. My mother’s rhubarb cooking usually balanced the tartness with natural sweeteners like maple syrup and honey. She used it in cakes, crisps, crumbles, strawberry rhubarb jam, roasted in a spring salad, and even in lemonade. Of course, one of my favorites was her rhubarb pie.
Today, rhubarb remains one of my favorite things to bake with. The sourness of rhubarb does not alter the flavoring; it adds an element of tang. Making rhubarb pie reminds me of my favorite early summer treat. Each time I eat rhubarb pie, I am transported back to eating strawberry rhubarb pie with ice cream, instantly bringing back the summer nostalgia of years past. Some of our strongest memories come from the simplest things. During our garden season, create those gardening memories with your family. Maybe start with replanting the same flowers or vegetables that you grew up with. Or recreate the garden recipes that you savor. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs. Let us help you with your culinary creations.
Remember my Foodie Friends:
“Life Happens in the Kitchen”
…and the garden!
Create those magical memories. After dinner, put on a Batman movie and enjoy the epic quotes.
“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me” (Batman, 2005).
Take Care,
John & Paula
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Recipe courtesy of House of Nash Eats at houseofeats.com