Warm Eggplant and Rainbow Chard Salad

I recently received my first local and organic produce “mystery box” delivery, and I was delighted to see a gorgeous bundle of rainbow chard inside. It was so pretty I didn’t know whether I was supposed to eat it or stick it in a vase and use it to decorate my table. I decided to eat it of course. Now I don’t have a lot of experience with some of the more “exotic” greens, but I do know that chard does have a bit of bitterness to it, but it is one of the most nutrient-rich greens you can eat so I knew I was going to find a way to incorporate it into my diet.

Chard is extremely high in phytonutrients and it has been recently found that the leaves contain at least 13 different polyphenol antioxidants, which we know help combat free radicals in the body, thus reducing inflammation and strengthening the body’s immune system. One of the flavanoid phytonutrients specific to chard also releases an enzyme that helps control blood sugar.

 The pretty colors found in the stems and veins of chard aren’t just for show either. Like beets, many of the betalain pigments in chard have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support.

When we regularly feed the body with properly prepared nutrient-rich foods like chard, the health benefits that the body receives internally are often also seen externally on the skin. Foods that naturally detoxify the digestive tract and feed the skin and body what it needs to function optimally will always help to improve the skin from the inside out. 

I had tried the ruby chard before with the red stems and glossy thick green leaves raw, and found that I could eat it raw if I mixed it in with some other greens like romaine or spinach; and I also tried dehydrating it into chips like I do with kale, but found that I didn’t enjoy that preparation either. So for the rainbow chard, I decided I would try cooking it, being mindful to keep it as close to its raw state as possible to maintain the integrity of the enzymes and other nutrients.

Article Author: Rachael Pontillo

I am a mom, licensed aesthetician, and holistic health coach. I also hold a B.S. in Architectural Studies and have years of work experience in various aspects of sales, marketing, and publishing. I am the author of the blog Holistically Haute, which …

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