Once I went to the fruitvendor in Milan asking for rhubarb, and he just looked at me and asked what on earth I wanted that for? But, eventually he ordered it to be picked up the next day. Up north it’s a plant that grows very well and I love desserts made with rhubarb, I was practically raised on the stuff! Here’s how we use it at our house: an easy and quick recipe:

Cut the stems in small pieces (never use the leaves they can be toxic) and put them in a  buttered baking pan. Mix 1dl of flour, 1dl of sugar, 1dl of oatmeal, 100g of butter into a paste to cover the rhubarb pieces. Oven 200°C for 25 min… and you’re done!! Serve it lukewarm with vanilla sauce (my choice), vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Yummy.