Swiss Chard recipes to bring the Mediterranean to your kitchen

Swiss chard is a vegetable green which has been used for eons, all the way back to the Ancient Greeks. The fact that is has so many different names makes it slightly confusing for historians to date back to when it was first consumed as a food. It's popular in the cities of Provence and Nice and is used in Mediterranean cuisine to add complexity to soups and rice dishes. In fact, there are plenty more varieties of Swiss chard recipes involving meats and salads.

Swiss Chard is a leafy green vegetable which resembles spinach. It's dark green color means it's healthy, nutritious and has antioxidant properties. It's got a wide variety of names, such as Roman Kale, strawberry spinach, white beet, Sicilian beet, silverbeet, and even 'Jerusalem artichoke'. There is a wide variety of Swiss Chard recipes, but the best are those which keep it healthy and colorful with a mix of other vegetables and add cheese for a rich taste. 

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 shallots, chopped

• 3 green onions

• 1 cup garbanzo beans

• 1 cup diced tomatoes

• ½ cup sliced mushrooms

• 1 lemon, juiced

¼ teaspoon salt

Italian seasoning

½ cup goat cheese

• ¼ cup parmesan cheese

• 1 bunch red Swiss chard, rinsed and chopped

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Stir in the shallot, green onions, and mushrooms. Cook and stir for about 5 minutes until soft, fragrant, and slightly brown. Stir in the garbanzo beans and season with the salt and black pepper. Squeeze the lemon over the Swiss chard and add to the skillet. Heat through for a few minutes. Take off the skillet and place on a plate. Sprinkle the goat cheese and parmesan cheese on top. Try this easy Swiss chard recipe at home today and feel healthy.

Origin 

There is evidence that Swiss chard originated in the Mediterranean because Aristotle wrote about it as far back as the fourth century B.C. The ancient Greeks and Romans were fond of chard for its medicinal properties, suggesting that they had Swiss chard recipes of their own even back then. They gave it the name chard because it resembled another plant by the name of chardoon, which was similar to celery. Hence, Swiss chard did not originate anywhere near Switzerland at all! 

Benefits 

Swiss chard is high in Vitamin C, K, and A. One cup of Swiss chard has 53% Vitamin A, 716% Vitamin K, and 214% Vitamin C of the recommended daily value. The high levels of Vitamin K and C provide support to the bones. It is also rich in Vitamin E, carotenoids, chlorophyll and fiber. The latter is helpful to those with constipation, because fiber helps regulate bowel movements. 

It contains 13 different polyphenol antioxidants, including kaempferol, which is good for the cardiovascular system. It contains another falconoid called syringic acid which helps keep blood glucose at steady levels. 

Swiss chard helps combat cancer because it contains phytochemicals and antioxidants. Those who wish to live long lives should keep Swiss chard recipes handy because it's one leafy green vegetable which does a lot of good and tastes so good that it can't hurt to try!