My paternal grandmother used it in pies and preserves so rhubarb (a vegetable) has an old fashioned quality in my mind.
It seems to have experienced a revival in the past few years.
Marion Owen tells us more about The World’s Favorite Pie Plant as she calls it.
Did not get your fill of information with Marion, dying to uncover the usurpers of the rhubarb name, visit The Rhubarb Compendium, live and on the scene since 1994.
As for events celebrating Rhubarb, I have to credit Amir Kashfi at Tour de France restaurants in New York for inspiring me to write about it.
In June 7th as part of its festival, Lanesboro, Minnesota has Rhubarb Olympics.
Intercourse, Pennsylvania has its 25th yearly event on May 16 and 17, includes a rhubarb derby.
Shedden, Ontario holds its Rosy Rhubarb Festival on June 6, 7 and 8
On the same dates, Conrad, Montana (‘from the mountains to the prairies’) has its Whoop-Up Days and Rhubarb Festival.
I guess I could go on and on.
Regarding the contribution from Amir at Tour de France restaurants in New York which includes Le Monde (focused on Loire Valley wines and foods), their Rhubarb Festival started on April 14 and runs until May 12.
From Rhubarb Margarita or Lemonade to Chilled Rhubarb Soup with Strawberry Sorbet and House Cured Salmon with Rhubarb, Shaved Cucumber and Lemongrass Oil to name a few, they put our old friend to work.
Have fun!
Bon Appetit
Related: Comfort Food a la Francaise via Cuisine Quotidienne