Where to get the good purple stuff

You can practically hear these bright roots declaring pie season, right? If you keep your eyes to the ground, you can see these babies sprouting up in grassy patches throughout the city. But if you prefer to leave your urban foragging hat at home, head to one of these family farms close to the GTA for some fresh stalks. 

Andrew’s Scenic Acres (9365 10th Sideroad, Milton/Halton Hills, ON, 905-878-5807)

100% pick your own crops starting in may with rhubarb and asparagus. Helpful staff will lead your crew to the best picking spots. Pesticide free!

Brantwood Farms (251 Powerline Rd., Brantford, ON, 519-759-4383)

Pick your own stalks at 1$ per pound. That’s A LOT of pie. 

Brooks Farms (122 Ashworth Rd, Mount Albert, ON, 905-473-3920) 

Buy some fresh cut local rhubarb, and / or and snap up some rhubarb pies, preserves and other treats at their farmers market. 

Hutchinson Farm (6202 Walkers Line, Burling, ON, 905-335-2515)

Put this Niagra Escarpment gem on your hit list for the next few weeks - they’ll have lots of fresh cut rhubarb up for the taking. 

If you’re REALLY loathe to get your nails dirty, cut to the chase and wrap your mouth around some of these tasty treats:

Wanda’s Pie in the Sky (287 Augusta Ave, 416-236-7585) makes a dreamy Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. If you’re not a pie purist, top that slice with a scoop of their homemade ice cream! ($5.25)

Die hard rhubarb fans need to check out Canoe’s rhubarb tasting menu, (66 Wellington St., 416-364-0054) where rhubarb makes a guest star appearance in each creative course. 

Don’t skip dessert at Nota Bene (180 Queen St. W., 416-977-6400) - go for the “poached rhubarb and rhubarb sorbet”, poached rhubarb with rhubarb sorbet and puff pastry ($12.00)

For something a little stiffer, try The Grove’s (1214 Dundas St. W., 416-588-2299) rhubarb Fizz cocktail - Blue Mountain sparkling wine, rhubarb simple syrup and rhubarb bitters ($15.00). 

My Market Bakery (184 Baldwin Ave., 416-593-6772) makes a crumbly strawberry rhubarb slice ideal for Pedestrian Sunday strolling ($1.50). 

Photos by ksbuehler and sifu_renka via Flickr