Strawberry Rhubarb Salsa
...plus, How to Paint a Tulip!
upcoming classes + retreats
Hi, friends!
Last week, someone on my neighborhood listserv posted that their garden was overflowing with rhubarb and offered some to anyone who wanted it. Yes, please! I walked over and was delighted to meet Barb who grew the rhubarb in her front yard. We got to chat gardening for a few minutes and then she gifted me a bundle of 8 stalks. She asked what I planned to make. I wasn’t sure!
I thought about it for a few days…a cake, bread, pie or tart seemed the obvious answer. Smitten Kitchen’s gorgeous picnic bars were quite tempting.
But I’m not much of a baker, so I decided to go savory. I had a hunch rhubarb might be a welcome addition in my Strawberry Salsa recipe (The Forest Feast, page 37). And indeed — the combo was springy magic made in taco heaven! Tangy, tart, crunchy and sweet, it was great with chips and also a fun topping for taco night. Highly recommend!
Strawberry Rhubarb Salsa
Serves 2-4
1/2 c diced rhubarb (1-2 stalks)
1/2 c diced strawberries
3/4 c diced tomato
1/4 c diced red onion
1/4 c chopped cilantro
a squeeze of lime
finely diced jalapeno (optional)
pinch of salt
Toss all ingredients and enjoy!
How to Paint a Tulip
Is there anything better than visiting a flower farm in full bloom?! It feels like physical immersion in color. Look for one near you!
On my recent trip to Kohler, I visited Flora Fields which was bursting with tulips. They have watercolor supplies available for visitors and it was so fun to sit in the field and paint flowers. Such a calming and meditative way to enjoy spring outdoors!


Here’s my simple 30-sec video tutorial for painting a tulip, and a step-by-step below:
with red, paint a football/almond shape and don’t fill it in completely
add petals on either side
while it’s still wet, dot in a touch of yellow paint and let them bleed together
grab some green paint and using just the tip (hold your brush perpendicular to the page) paint a thing stem
get more green paint then starting at the bottom of the stem, brush upwards for the leaves — applying more pressure in the middle to make it wider
lift up at the end to achieve a pointy leaf tip
Now I’m off to make challah for Shabbat. Happy cooking and happy painting!
xx
Erin
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Love this
Rhubard has no business being as pretty as it is.