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I just read that using baking soda with rhubarb raises oxalic acid so I think the suggestion is an unhealthy one.
I believe this is a mistake. It's the leaves of the rhubarb which have the biggest levels and the plant in general doesn't have a toxic level. Spinach leaves actually offer a higher level of oxalic acid!
Parboiling in this way has been done to remove the tartness in rhubarb for many decades! It's quite effective!
Many blessings!
My recipe for Strawberry-Rhubarb pie is similar, but I use only one egg, 1 cup sugar, and I don't use nutmeg. I also use equal parts rhubarb and strawberries, about 2 cups of each. I parboil the rhubarb for one minute in water with a teaspoon of baking soda added. This takes the bitterness out of the rhubarb, and requires less sugar for the recipe. I immediately remove it from heat to avoid it turning soggy. I may try adding the nutmeg next time I make a pie. It would add another dimension to the flavor.
Thanks for this tip. I'm going to give it a try.