Simple Rainbow Chard Pasta
As promised, this month I have a simple yet delicious, kid-friendly recipe to share with you that incorporates rainbow chard, which you may still be harvesting if you planted a winter garden.
In my opinion, rainbow chard is one of the most beautiful vegetables with its vibrant green leaves and multi-colored stems. It’s also packed with nutrients, and when sautéed with some garlic and olive oil tastes earthy and delicious!
This Rainbow Chard Pasta recipe is simple to make and comes together quickly, perfect for a busy weeknight meal that’s satisfying and comforting. It’s also completely customizable. You can make it with gluten-free pasta if you prefer and the options for additional ingredients are endless! Try it with grilled chicken or add Parmesan cheese and some toasted pine nuts.
You could also substitute another leafy green in place of the chard, or use any other vegetables you may have growing in your garden. We are sure you’ll love it!
I first created this recipe for a new project that has been in the works at Garden Joy over the last few months. Because Garden Joy youth education programs have been on hold due to COVID-19, we wanted to find a way to continue to serve local youth.
Inspired by a similar initiative carried out by the Sacramento non-profit, The Food Literacy Center, Garden Joy assembled and distributed our first Farm to School Recipe Kits. We decided to use this Simple Rainbow Chard Pasta recipe for the first kit. Some of our upcoming recipes have been graciously and generously shared with us by The Food Literacy Center.
Farm to School Recipe Kits include fresh produce, cooking tools, a recipe, and all the ingredients necessary to create a healthy meal at home. Garden Joy distributed 150 kits to our friends at Ripona Elementary, where 50% of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch.
We would like to give a huge thank you to our sponsors Savemart, Burroughs Farms, and Ripon Print Studio, as well as our volunteers, who partnered with us to make the first Garden Joy Farm to School Recipe Kit possible.
Garden Joy’s goal is to provide nourishment to families who need it, as well as encourage local children to try new vegetables, eat nutritious foods, and learn valuable cooking skills. Our first distribution went so well that we can’t wait for our May Farm to School Recipe Kit!
Check out a video of our friend, Kathy Cragin, doing a demonstration of this month's recipe, on our YouTube channel and try cooking it with your family!
If you make this recipe, be sure to take a picture and tag Garden Joy on Instagram.
Simple Rainbow Chard Pasta Recipe
Ingredients:
1 pound uncooked pasta
1 bunch of rainbow or swiss chard, chopped
1 can white beans, rinsed and drained
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cloves peeled garlic
1 Tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions for adults to assist kids:
Assist with the safe operation of the stove to sauté, boil, and drain hot pasta into a colander. Supervise and assist if necessary with chopping of garlic and chard.
Instructions for kids:
Using a kids safe knife, chop chard and slice garlic.
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
In a large pan or skillet, warm the olive oil over low-medium heat. Add sliced garlic and sauté in the olive oil until fragrant but not browned. Add chopped chard and continue to cook until slightly wilted (only a few minutes).
Add white beans, diced tomatoes, and cooked pasta. Stir to evenly combine all ingredients. Season with salt and pepper, and enjoy!
Garden Joy Farm to School Recipe Kits sponsored by:
