Q: I recently discovered that I'm allergic to strawberries (I know, it's the worst). While I can't enjoy strawberries anymore, I am curious if anyone knows of some good sweet rhubarb recipes that I can try without them. Strawberries and rhubarb are so often (deliciously) paired together that it's a challenge to find other ideas.
Sent by Dori
Editor: Dori, first off, have you verified that you're allergic to cooked strawberries? The acids in strawberries that can cause a reaction are sometimes neutralized by cooking, I find.
Apart from that, what about a clafoutis, a cake, crumble, or a syrup?
• Roasted Rhubarb Clafouti
• Big Pink Rhubarb Cake
• Rhubarb Lavender Crumble
• Rhubarb Syrup
Readers, other ideas?
Related: Crumbles to Rhubodka: 10 Sweet, Tangy Rhubarb Recipes
(Image: Faith Durand)
Elizabeth Apron fro...

I made this cobbler over the weekend and it was *delicious* and strawberry-free (and very easy). My boyfriend also sent me this recipe yesterday, which I haven't tried yet but it looks tasty and versatile.
If you can eat Raspberries, we have found that they can be substitute for Strawberries - see this Slab Pie recipe http://www.joyofkosher.com/recipe/raspberry-rhubarb-slab-pie-recipe/
We also have a Rhubarb crisp that is pure rhubarb http://www.joyofkosher.com/recipe/rhubarb-crisp/
I absolutely loved this Lemon Buttermilk Rhubarb Bundt Cake. You won't regret it if you make it.
http://www.honeyandjam.com/2010/05/lemon-buttermilk-rhubarb-bundt-cake.html
we made these tarts
and this coffee cake with just rhubarb, and stay tuned for a pie recipe coming up on our blog, too.
These rustic rhubarb tarts are fabulous:
http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/05/rustic-rhubarb-tarts/
I'm a big fan of apple and rhubarb, and I think rhubarb is also good on its own. I tend to do each in a crumble (fruit layers with sugar, with non-oat crumb on top). Apple to Rhubarb ratio of maybe 2:1.
I do not have a recipe (had this at a restaurant) but I wager it would be easy to make: rhubarb, apple and blackberrry pie with a Dutch crumble topping.
Love this recipe! http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/05/rhubarb-streusel-muffins/
rhubarb and cherries are the BEST combination-- way way better than strawberries. just sub out strawberries for tart (not sour) cherries in any of your strawberry/rhubarb recipes
Smittten Kitchen's rhubarb streusel muffins are fantastic.
Still my favorite since childhood: Plain old rhubarb pie. I never did understand the need to add other stuff. Grandma made a preserve with pineapple added and I suppose you could add peaches or whatever, but the plain pie suits me nicely.
Of course, you can always stew up some rhubarb and use it for topping.
This rhubarb galette recipe from Martha Stewart is really heavenly warm out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream: http://www.marthastewart.com/275393/rhubarb-recipes/@center/276955/seasonal-produce-recipe-guide#/256086
Actually, all of her rhubarb recipes look delicious and a lot are strawberry-free! http://www.marthastewart.com/275393/rhubarb-recipes/@center/276955/seasonal-produce-recipe-guide
Welcome to the universe of Rhubarb Custard Pie.
Smitten Kitchen has a number of rhubarb recipes that are strawberry free, my favorite is her rhubarb cobbler. The biscuit topping is incredible.
http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/05/rhubarb-cobbler/
I also love this roasted rhubarb sauce from the Mennonite cookbook "Simply in Season". Here is the recipe online.
http://thelocalcook.com/2010/05/13/roasted-rhubarb/
It definitely won't be a limitation for you! There are many, many delicious rhubarb recipes that aren't paired with strawberries.
I second the mention of Smitten Kitchen's rustic rhubarb tarts. They are amazing!
I prefer rhubarb without strawberries! Though custard does elevate the rhubarb to new heights....
Maple roasted rhubarb is delicious and easy: http://www.cauldronsandcrockpots.com/2010/09/maple-roasted-rhubarb/
Also, just a rhubarb compote- rhubarb, bit o water and sugar in a pot. Add vanilla if you're feeling fancy. Cook until it's mushy and the liquid is gone. Drown in cream.
Rhubarb tart (served with custard?) is prob my favourite way to prepare it ever, though. I keep tart crusts ready to go in the freezer around rhubarb time.
I like rhubarb on it's own in a cobbler or crisp, or just cooked down with some sugar and eaten with vanilla ice cream or yogurt. Rhubarb is great with just about any other summer fruit too.
Poached rhubarb (I like the Pie Bible recipe) is wonderful with buttermilk panna cotta.
The Rhubarb & Custard Cake on http://www.gastronomydomine.com/?p=9 is ridiculously simple & SO delicious. It's a straightforward cake batter, topped with chopped rhubarb, sugar & cream (which cook together to form the 'custard').
Wow! So many great ideas--cherries, custard, pastry, it all sounds so good. Thanks!
Love all these ideas! Timely, too. I bought some the other day and have no plan for it yet.
Here are a whole bunch of recipes from Foodland Ontario: http://www.foodland.gov.on.ca/english/fruits/rhubarb/recipes/index.html. I've made the rhubarb coffee cake and it's delicious. The first time I made it, I forgot the walnuts, so I made the topping without and have never gone back.
Recently made a cobbler and happened to put a few strawberries in it, but it's just as good without (just add a few more TBS of sugar). Here's my mom's recipie
http://bluecanoe.net/ericandmandee/?p=232
My grandmother's rhubarb pie/cobbler is my all-time favorite dessert. No real recipe, either. Chop up your rhubarb and pile it in a baking dish (she always used corningware). Sprinkle sugar very generously over the rhubarb. Sprinkle a box of Jiffy yellow cake mix (if you can't find Jiffy, use half a box of another brand - or make a bigger batch!), and then cut a stick of butter or margarine over it. Bake at 350 for an hour. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, cause it's super rich.
Rhubarb Pie from Serious Eats
Rhubarb custard tea cake
Rhubarb sauce! It's amazing on ice cream, cheesecake, plain cake, rice pudding, yogurt (makes a great lassi), etc. You can even turn it savory like I did once by adding lemon juice, garlic, and salt and pepper. It was fantastic on chicken and rice.
Here's the recipe. 4:1. Yep, for every 4 parts rhubarb, add 1 part sugar. Cups is easiest. If you only have 2 cups rhubarb, use a half cup sugar. Cook the rhubarb over low heat until soft and dissolved. Add the sugar about halfway through. When it's thick enough, you're done! Jar it up and stick it in the fridge - it will keep forever.
Rhubarb syrup--makes beautiful, puckery, delicious spring cocktail! Just cook down some rhubarb with sugar (as much as you like) and water, then strain out the solids for pretty pink syrup.
In a strawberry-rhubarb recipe, just replace the strawberries with more rhubarb. You may need to add a little more sugar, but rhubarb is delicious on it's own!
Jes at Eating Appalachia just posted a great recipe for rhubarb bbq sauce.
http://eatingappalachia.com/2012/05/24/vegan-pulled-pork-with-rhubarb-bbq-sauce/