Swiss Chard Quiche (Pastel de Acelga)

Hello, my VOH Buddies!

This week, I'm excited to share a delicious family recipe featuring one of our most nutrient-dense vegetables— Swiss Chard! My sister, Rachel, works in the hydroponic greenhouse and gave me a behind-the-scenes look at the love and care that go into growing these beautiful vegetables.

Before we get cooking, here's a little about this fabulous leafy green. Although it's commonly called Swiss chard, it actually originated in Sicily.¹ The name "Swiss chard" was given by Swiss botanist Karl Heinrich Emil Koch. Chard is a close relative of beets and spinach and is a variety of beet that's grown for its edible leaves and stems rather than its root.

You'll recognize Swiss chard by its large, crinkled leaves and thick, crunchy stems. A staple of Mediterranean cuisine for centuries, Swiss chard has become increasingly popular throughout Europe and North America thanks to its versatility, vibrant colors, and outstanding nutritional value.

Here at View of Heaven (VOH), we grow our pesticide-free Rainbow Swiss Chard with love and dedication in our hydroponic greenhouse. Each harvest is picked fresh in our hydroponic greenhouse and brought directly from our farm to your table.

One of my family's favorite ways to enjoy Swiss chard is in a delicious quiche inspired by the traditional Peruvian dish Pastel de Acelga . It's simple to make, packed with nutrients, and perfect for my fellow veggie lovers! My mom was kind enough to share her step-by-step instructions so I could pass this family favorite along to all of you.

You can make your own homemade crust or save time by using store-bought phyllo dough or your favorite pie crust. I hope you'll order some of our fresh Rainbow Swiss Chard and give this recipe a try!

Swiss Chard Quiche (Pastel de Acelga)

Crust Ingredients

● 1½ cups all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, or a combination of both

● 6 tablespoons butter, cut into small cubes

● ¾ teaspoon salt

● 2–3 tablespoons cold water

Filling Ingredients

● 2 bundles VOH Rainbow Swiss Chard

● 4 eggs½ yellow onion, finely diced

● 3–4 cloves garlic, minced

● ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese (or your favorite cheese)

● Salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine the flour and salt. Cut in the butter and crumble using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until a dough forms. Let the dough rest for about 15 minutes.

2. Prepare the filling by separating the stems from the Swiss chard leaves and chopping everything into bite-sized pieces. If desired, blanch the Swiss chard in boiling water for 1–2 minutes. Drain well and squeeze out any excess moisture.

3. Sauté the onion and garlic in butter or olive oil, or a combination of both until softened.

4. Add the Swiss chard and cook for 2–3 minutes (or a little longer if you didn't blanch the Swiss chard). Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes.

5. Stir in 2 beaten eggs, the Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.

6. Divide the dough into two equal portions.

7. Roll out one portion and place it in your baking dish as the bottom crust. Add the Swiss chard filling.

8. Crack the remaining 2 eggs over the filling before placing the top crust on. (If you prefer not to have whole eggs inside the quiche, simply beat them first and mix them into the filling.)

9. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is fully set.

I hope you enjoy this family favorite as much as we do! If you make it using our fresh Rainbow Swiss Chard, we'd love to hear what you think.

Be sure to check out the photos I took while Mom was preparing the quiche! She used whole wheat flour for the crust, which gives it a wonderfully rustic, crumbly texture. Mom and my sisters devoured the quiche in no time, and I hope my VOH friends will enjoy it just as much!

See you next time!

Victoria

¹Lui, Novella. "What Is Swiss Chard?" EatingWell , 29 Apr. 2022, www.eatingwell.com/article/7961626/what-is-swiss-chard/ (last visited 7.3.2026)