The facts:
Silverbeet is a leafy green vegetable with an earthy taste, closely related to and often mistaken for spinach. The ribbed silverbeet leaves are large and shiny with a thick stem that can range in colour from white to red.

The uses:
Silverbeet can be shredded and added raw to salads or cut into strips and used in stir fries, curries, pasta dishes and pies. It is also perfect steamed and served as a healthy side dish.

Choosing in store:
A good silverbeet will have crisp dark green leaves and fleshy stems. Try to avoid buying if the leaves are beginning to wilt.

Pair with:
Chicken, beef, garlic, salads, anchovies, lemon, pasta

TIP:
To maintain the vitamins and dietary goodness in silverbeet cook for as little time as possible.

Story by Jessica Sanford
Photography by Trinette Reed/Photodisc

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