16 times we danced to the silverbeet

Kale might hog the spotlight, but it's silverbeet we really want to groove with. Here's how to make the most of this down to earth leafy green.

Silverbeet frittata Source: Alan Benson

Beta vulgaris L. Cicla  - aka silverbeet or Swiss chard - is one of the most forgiving and giving vegetables to eat and grow. It packs a tremendous amount on nutrition into its dark green leaves. A hit of silverbeet will give you plenty of fibre, as well as vitamins A, C, B6 and K plus a dose of riboflavin, folate, manganese and potassium. All that for a measly 62 kilojoules per 100 grams - talk about a powerhouse.

It's a giver in the garden too. You can easily grow silverbeet to glut-like quantities; picking it only makes it try harder. You can also happily sow it in most regions of Australia year-round, making it the perfect winter crop. Here's how to make the most of this easygoing all-rounder.

Wrap it

A simple dish that perfectly highlights the bitter-sweet flavours of silverbeet. Source: Sharyn Cairns

When silverbeet hugs tomato, the result is nourishment for the very soul. These classic Lebanese vegetarian parcels are very satisfying to both make and eat.

Bake it

While this pie warrants a special occasion, you won't want to save it for once a year. Source: Emiko Davies

An Italian Easter pie perfectly showcases the harmony between silverbeet and eggs. They just love each other! The soft, creamy egg flavour balances the bitterness of silverbeet to arrive somewhere juuuust right.

Soup it

An entire bunch of silverbeet goes into making this punchy Turkish soup. Source: China Squirrel

When you're eating something as warming and filling as this soup, you'll be glad silverbeet grows so well in winter. The juicy lamb meatballs and spicy-sweet broth offer a comforting, more-ish quality, while silverbeet, lentils and chickpeas add nutritional peace of mind.

Crunch it

These crunchy onion, potato and silverbeet fritters are served with a refreshing mint chutney. Source: Parveen's Indian Kitchen

Silverbeet and onion add interesting sharpness to potato and chickpea fritters. These bhajis are the perfect snack to munch on with an evening beer. Hopefully one earned earlier when picking your silverbeet fresh from the garden or pot.

Heap it

You can use a wide range of wild, cultivated or supermarket greens in this recipe, but nothing quite beats silverbeet. Source: Jonathan Lovekin

A simple butter puff pastry tart is heaped with silverbeet leaves and herbs to produce this classic Corsican pie. A rustic, easy dish like this one is when silverbeet really gets to shine.

Rewind it

Ribollita brims with hearty nutrition and keeps for days. Source: Alan Benson

Ribollita means “reboiled”. Being a peasant dish, any leftover of this hearty soup would be reboiled over and over again for a few days in a row, each time gaining in flavour. Silverbeet and cavolo nero are both up to the task.

Pack it

Piping hot gözleme is a thing of beauty, especially when silverbeet is layered between the dough. Source: Supplied

Is there anyone who isn't craving silverbeet and feta gözleme right now? One glimpse at that image and we're greedily munching in our minds. The best thing is, it's super simple to make this gözleme a reality...

Pie it

This sensational pie brings together some of Greece’s most popular ingredients – silverbeet, haloumi, Kalamata olives, rice and filo pastry. Source: Alan Benson

The Greeks sure know how to love silverbeet - just mix it with haloumi, olives and chicken and it will never stray. This pie is a bit of a labour of love itself, but beyond worth it when you bite into the flaky pastry and hit the bold flavours beyond.

Egg it

Frittata is an old-fashioned Dutch favourite. Source: Alan Benson

Four ingredients make this delicious Dutch-style frittata, with silverbeet the unquestionable star. This pie is happy served either hot or cold, so pop a slice into a lucky lunchbox this week.

Stir it

Poh's sensational risotto was born from an abundant silverbeet patch and an overflow of mushies in the fridge. Source: China Squirrel

Another time that silverbeet brought rice to life (see Greek pie, above). This mushroom and silverbeet risotto is a good reminder that you can stir silverbeet through almost any dish to add texture, nutrition and flavour. It's sharp, bitter, almost sweet notes are a good match for most other ingredients. Time to start that veggie patch...