Ep23 - A Rhubarb of a Pickle of a Jam

Nikolai Astrup, Rabarbra, 1911, oil on canvas

Nikolai Astrup, Rabarbra, 1911, oil on canvas

This episode looks at where rhubarb came from and how it traveled the world. I look at the changes from how rhubarb was first used by humans to how it is enjoyed today. We'll learn about the etymology of rhubarb, the need for albarelli drug jars and then there's the utterly interesting link between rhubarb and the Zoroastrian creation myth. I'll share why the culinary tradition of Forced Rhubarb fully deserves its PDO status. I will share how I was inspired by the rhubarb inspired artworks by Nikolai Astrup, Mary Fedden, Elizabeth Johnson. I share some of the ways that I use rhubarb in my cookery, preserves, food photography and patterns.

Albarelli (drug jars), Di Gubbio, Mariotto 1541 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Albarelli (drug jars), Di Gubbio, Mariotto 1541 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Nikolai Astrup, Rhubarb and Little Girl at Sandalstrand, C 1927

Nikolai Astrup, Rhubarb and Little Girl at Sandalstrand, C 1927

Mary Fedden, Still Life with Rhubarb, 2003

Mary Fedden, Still Life with Rhubarb, 2003

Mary Fedden, Reflection, 1992, oil on board

Mary Fedden, Reflection, 1992, oil on board

Johann Zoffany, The Academicians of the Royal Academy, 1771-2, oil on canvas, from the Royal Collection, London

Johann Zoffany, The Academicians of the Royal Academy, 1771-2, oil on canvas, from the Royal Collection, London

Amanda Vickery 2016 article for the RA - Hidden from History, The Royal Academy's Female Founders

Art + Feminism is a campaign improving coverage of cis and transgender women, feminism and the arts on Wikipedia. From coffee shops and community centers to the largest museums and universities in the world, Art+Feminism is a do-it-yourself and do-it-with-others campaign teaching people of all gender identities and expressions to edit Wikipedia.

Check out this Artsy link for more information on Mary Fedden including images of her work,  works for sale, existing and past shows. Artsy features the world’s leading galleries, museum collections, foundations, artist estates, art fairs, and benefit auctions, all in one place. Their growing database of 800,000 images of art, architecture, and design by 80,000 artists spans historical, modern, and contemporary works, and includes the largest online database of contemporary art. Artsy is used by art lovers, museum-goers, patrons, collectors, students, and educators to discover, learn about, and collect art.

Next is artwork from Elizabeth Johnson Art Glass LLC https://www.elizabethjohnson.com.  Elizabeth creates realistic, heirloom quality glass art jewelry and glass sculptures featuring fruit, berries, flowers and leaves, ordering information is available on the Order and Contact Page.

Elizabeth Johnson Art Glass LLC - https://www.elizabethjohnson.com Facebook, Pinterest, Ordering information is available on the Order and Contact Page.

Elizabeth Johnson Art Glass LLC -
https://www.elizabethjohnson.com
Facebook, Pinterest,
Ordering information is available on the Order and Contact Page.

Elizabeth Johnson Art Glass LLC - https://www.elizabethjohnson.com Facebook, Pinterest, Ordering information is available on the Order and Contact Page.

Elizabeth Johnson Art Glass LLC -
https://www.elizabethjohnson.com
Facebook, Pinterest,
Ordering information is available on the Order and Contact Page.

Elizabeth Johnson Art Glass LLC - https://www.elizabethjohnson.com Facebook, Pinterest, Etsy Ordering information is available on the Order and Contact Page.

Elizabeth Johnson Art Glass LLC -
https://www.elizabethjohnson.com
Facebook, Pinterest, Etsy
Ordering information is available on the Order and Contact Page.

Click here to find out more about Stroud Green Market, open on Sundays from 10-3 opposite the Faltering Fullback Pub in Finsbury Park, N4 3HB.

Jackfruit, red pepper and black bean tacos topped with crunchy herb tofu served with Smy Goodness coleslaw pickle and pickled rhubarb salsa IG: @SmyGoodness

Jackfruit, red pepper and black bean tacos topped with crunchy herb tofu served with Smy Goodness coleslaw pickle and pickled rhubarb salsa IG: @SmyGoodness

Smy Goodness Pudding: pistachio meringue with homemade strawberry and roasted rhubarb ice cream topped with roasted rhubarb and strawberries with lashings of cream and toasted pistachios. IG: @SmyGoodness

Smy Goodness Pudding: pistachio meringue with homemade strawberry and roasted rhubarb ice cream topped with roasted rhubarb and strawberries with lashings of cream and toasted pistachios.
IG: @SmyGoodness

Smy Goodness Pickled Rhubarb IG: @SmyGoodness

Smy Goodness Pickled Rhubarb
IG: @SmyGoodness

Smy Goodness Rhubarb and Strawberry print IG: @SmyGoodness

Smy Goodness Rhubarb and Strawberry print IG: @SmyGoodness

Welsh rarebit with Smy Goodness Rhubarb Chutney IG: SmyGoodness

Welsh rarebit with Smy Goodness Rhubarb Chutney IG: SmyGoodness

A few years back I decided to bundle all my interests together and rebrand from Smy Chutney to Smy Goodness so that all my preserves, crafts, products and workshops could live together in one place. My own podcast seemed a suitable place to uncover, understand and enjoy things related to food, art, history and design. Please do share your stories, knowledge, questions and suggestions. In the Smy Goodness.com podcast section you will find the podcasts and all the items that we are discussing and will have ongoing discussions about each week.

You can also follow Smy Goodness on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. I'd like to thank Ashley Palmer for use of his Roland R-09 and Matteo Borea for creating the music. Thank you for listening.