2½ cups Swiss chard stalks, cut into pieces 1½ inches long
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1½ teaspoons chopped garlic
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Salt
Black pepper
Wash the chard stalks in cold water. (See note below about using the chard leaves.) Bring 3 quarts water to a boil, drop in the stalks, and cook at a moderate boil until they feel tender when prodded with a fork, approximately 30 minutes, depending on the stalks. Drain and set aside. Put the olive oil and garlic in a sauté pan, turn on the heat to medium. Cook and stir the garlic until it becomes very lightly colored, then add the boiled stalks, the parsley, salt, and pepper. Turn the heat up to medium high, tossing and turning the stalks to coat them well. Cook for about 5 minutes, then transfer the contents of the pan to a warm plate and serve at once