Is it possible to make rhubard edible without loads of sugar?

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I love rhubarb and have a couple of very productive crowns in the garden.

However, I have recently beaten my serious sugar addiction and no longer eat any refined sugar. It's hard to describe just how much better I feel for it.

Generally, my sweet tooth is gone and I just don't want very sweet foods anymore but rhubarb is still far too sharp without sugar. Is there a way?

Most people stew rhubarb with too much sugar IMO. I prefer it to just have a little bit of what sets your teeth on edge. If you cut down the sugar quite drastically and then swirl it through natural yoghurt, or Greek yoghurt to soften it. You could always then add honey if you have been too drastic.

I steam it and find it needs far less sugar rather than trying to stew it.

Oh I have always done it with less sugar that is generally considered "normal" and I agree it should make you wince a bit but I can't add even a little. As far as sugar addiction is concerned, honey is the same ting.

Could you try stewing it with something else that is naturally sweet, Strawberries or an Orange? I don't know what it would taste like, but my MIL stirs orange juice and zest in to it (too sweet IMO, but she uses too much sugar in it as well).

I add vanilla, which gives it a 'sweet' smell and taste without actually adding sweetness, I then add orange zest, which makes the sharpness more palatable and then I also add copious amounts of sugar or sweetener

Orange is a good combination with rhubarb and may help lessen the need for sugar.

Rhubarb and strawberry compote is yummy, and should again help lessen the need for sugar.

I would also be tempted to stew it unsweetened then add sugar after little by little to taste, and suspect you'll use a lot less sugar than a recipe would have told you to.

Ah it seems you don't want any sugar at all, so I'd probably try something like rhubarb and strawberry without sugar, start with a lot more strawberry than rhubarb, and then gradually adjust the rhubarb proportion over time to get your palate used to the sourness.

You only need about 8-10g of sugar for 100g of rhubarb. At this time of year, you could add in some strawberries, and cut down the refined sugar, further.

And I reckon stewing with apple would work too.

No, it's not. Rhubarb is totally yuk in every way.

You could try cooking it in orange juice and adding grated ginger - I often put ginger in and it's a great match with rhubarb. Second the suggestions of apple and strawberries - my mum used to cook that and make crumble, favourite dessert as a kid.

You can use it in savoury recipes too - google rhubarb and mackerel (and there are other things it works with too). Sounds odd but actually lovely, we've tried a couple!

Rhubarb and orange tart is always nice

Grate zest off an orange and juice it make up to 1/4pt with water
Boil liquid
Take off heat and add - stir in 1oz plain flour (4oz sugar can leave out) and 1 egg
Put back on heat and stir till thick
Line tart dish with pastry and cover with rhubatb pieces then pour liquid on
Bake about 180` untill bubbling (about 15mins)

I've roasted it in orange juice before and that was lovely with creme fraiche.

Stew without sugar, then stir through whipped cream and a bit of honey?

Try adding some Sweet Cicely.

Try this Jamie Oliver pork and rhubarb recipe - dh loved it, I wasn't so keen on the sharp rhubarb.
homecoming.about.com/od/porkrecipes/r/blpork46.htm
If you are a sugar addict I'd resist any temptation to sweeten it - the cravings will return and haunt you.

No helpful suggestions here, but I would love to know how you beat your sugar addiction as I would like to do the same.

Add stevia. Much sweeter than sugar.

Yes, Rainyday. I've actually had to beat it twice. The first time I was bullied persuaded into having a piece of a relative's birthday cake. I didn't want it and didn't enjoy it but it was like flicking a switch. For three months afterwards it wasn't physically possible to lay my hands on enough sugar and I felt dreadful.

Actually Jones, once you put your mind to it (and that's the key) it's not really that hard. I went cold turkey and the first 4 days is pretty tough - need to keep yourself very busy. After that the cravings subside rapidly and by about day 10 you really don't want the sugar any more. The idea of a Mars bar now makes me feel quite queasy.

Some people find they need to avoid/greatly reduce fruit as well but I haven't found that myself.

Thank you everyone for your ideas.

layer it with sliced banana and bake. might still need a litle sugar, but the banana takes out a lot of the acidity which does help.