Stewed Rhubarb

 Ingredients

1. 1-1/2 pounds rhubarb (about 4 cups cut up)
2. 3/4 cup organic light brown or white sugar
3. Grated zest and juice of 1 orange
4. One 2-inch piece vanilla bean, sliced lengthwise
5. 3 cloves

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Have ready a gratin dish large enough to hold the rhubarb in 1 or 2 layers.
3. Rinse the rhubarb, trim the stalks, then cut them into pieces 1 to 1-1/2 inches long. A diagonal cut looks nice here.
4. Toss with the sugar, zest, and juice and transfer to the gratin dish.
5. Bury the vanilla bean and cloves in the rhubarb.
6. Bake until the rhubarb is tender when pierced with a knife, about 30 minutes.
7. Remove and let cool in its baking dish; then cover and refrigerate.
8. Taste for sweetness and add more if needed — a little maple syrup or a few drops of stevia will correct rhubarb that's a tad too tart.