Learn to minimize collard greens plus the place to purchase them and methods to decide, clear, and retailer contemporary collard greens on this information. Additionally, uncover the various causes and methods to eat them.
Collard greens are a staple in soul meals and in southern cooking. This hardy, nutritious inexperienced can take a while to wash and minimize them earlier than cooking. Plus, the way in which you narrow you narrow your collards – how thick or skinny – impacts cook dinner time.
The time it takes is value each second. I’m going to stroll you step-by-step via methods to prep and minimize collard greens to make vegan collard greens, these straightforward honey cider collards, a wholesome weeknight aspect dish or so as to add to soup or stew.
You’ll see precisely methods to clear, minimize, and cook dinner this southern staple vegetable each in photos and a fast video!
Why are collard greens wholesome?
Collard greens are nutritious. They supply calcium, vitamin Okay, fiber, and plenty of polyphenols that will contribute extra well being advantages akin to defending our physique’s cells from injury.
Collards are additionally versatile within the kitchen. I choose them as a aspect dish however have additionally added them to soups and stews. You’ll be able to blanch the leaves and use as a sandwich wrap or to steam fish inside. Although you should use collards for a salad, they’re greatest cooked for my part.
Collard greens are in season through the cooler months and style greatest in December and January. So, now’s the proper time to seize a bunch of those wholesome winter greens.
The place to purchase collards
Collard greens are plentiful within the winter. I search for small bunches of younger collard greens that are extra tender and take much less time to cook dinner. The massive bunches of collards with the extra mature leaves are additionally fantastic. Simply know that you just’ll must cook dinner them longer and the cleansing and chopping course of is usually a bit extra cumbersome.
I like to recommend contemporary greens for many recipes and keep away from pre-cut bagged ones since these have a tendency be more durable in texture.
Select collard greens which can be a darkish inexperienced shade with no limp, cracking, or yellowing leaves. The leaves and stems ought to really feel supple and agency not wilting, splitting or dry.
You may as well purchase frozen collard greens on the grocery store. These are good for tossing into soup, stew, stir-fry, one-pot rice dishes, or smoothies.
Cleansing collard greens
It will take a while. And there are two predominant strategies. I choose the primary methodology however the second would possibly save a little bit water.
Technique One
– Separate the bunch of collard greens into particular person leaves.
– Rinse every leaf rigorously below cool operating water. Take care to rub away any soil or particles which may acquire on the leaf and particularly across the stem on the entrance and bottom. As soon as clear, put aside to arrange to slice.
Technique Two
– Swish and soak the greens in a big bowl of cool water (or a sanitized sink). The dust will settle to the underside of the bowl.
– Change the water a number of occasions. You’ll know the greens are clear when the water is evident.
Whether or not you utilize cool operating water or the soaking methodology, make sure to take a look at every leaf to ensure there’s no clinging dust or particles. Due to the way in which they develop, collard greens will be troublesome to wash. And consider me nobody needs gritty greens!
Play some music and take the time to wash your greens. Prep an additional bunch when you’re at it!
Storing contemporary greens
Prep forward: Clear a few collard bunches at a time. The clear, sliced and dry greens will preserve for per week or longer within the fridge.
In case your greens are moist. Use a salad spinner to take away any clinging moisture earlier than putting in an hermetic bag or container and into the fridge.
TIP: Prep your New 12 months’s Day collard greens the week earlier than on the similar time you’re cleansing and chopping your Christmas greens.
Greatest solution to retailer greens
Contemporary, unwashed collard greens will final a couple of week within the fridge. The secret is ensuring the greens are dry. So wash them proper earlier than you’re able to cook dinner them.
You may as well put together the greens this manner. Wash, minimize, and spin the greens dry. Retailer in a plastic bag with a paper towel to soak up any lingering water.
As soon as the greens are cooked, eat them inside 1-2 days.
Chopping collard greens step-by-step
As soon as your greens are clear, it’s time to chop them. Whereas a paring knife can work for essentially the most expert cooks, I exploit a chopping board and chef’s knife.
Step One: Stack the leaves putting the biggest ones on the underside of the pile. I’ve eliminated the stems however you’ll be able to preserve the thinner stems in, for those who choose.
Step 2: Roll the greens into a decent roll, being cautious to tuck all leaves inside. The ultimate roll ought to appear like a fats cigar.
Step 3: Maintain the roll firmly towards the chopping board. Use the knife to slice via the collards creating skinny strips.
For uniform cooking, slice your greens into evenly-sized ribbons.
Use your sliced greens in your favourite collard recipes. This measurement slice is ideal for a fast saute. Use thicker slices for longer cooking recipes.
Use your collard greens for a fast aspect dish recipe or conventional braised collard greens and extra!
Tips on how to Minimize Collard Greens
Step-by-step information to selecting, cleansing, chopping and storing collard greens.
Servings: 1 small bunch
Value: $2
Notes
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