Learn to reduce collard greens plus the place to purchase them and how one can 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 scrub and reduce them earlier than cooking. Plus, the way in which you narrow you narrow your collards – how thick or skinny – impacts prepare dinner time.
The time it takes is price each second. I’m going to stroll you step-by-step by means of how one can prep and reduce collard greens to make vegan collard greens, these simple honey cider collards, a wholesome weeknight facet dish or so as to add to soup or stew.
You’ll see precisely how one can clear, reduce, and prepare 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 many polyphenols that will contribute extra well being advantages equivalent to defending our physique’s cells from harm.
Collards are additionally versatile within the kitchen. I choose them as a facet dish however have additionally added them to soups and stews. You may blanch the leaves and use as a sandwich wrap or to steam fish inside. Although you should use collards for a salad, they’re finest cooked for my part.
Collard greens are in season through the cooler months and style finest in December and January. So, now’s the right 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 prepare dinner. The massive bunches of collards with the extra mature leaves are additionally positive. Simply know that you simply’ll must prepare dinner them longer and the cleansing and slicing 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 harder in texture.
Select collard greens which might be a darkish inexperienced coloration 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 also 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
This may take a while. And there are two predominant strategies. I choose the primary methodology however the second may save a bit water.
Methodology 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 that may accumulate on the leaf and particularly across the stem on the entrance and bottom. As soon as clear, put aside to arrange to slice.
Methodology Two
– Swish and soak the greens in a big bowl of cool water (or a sanitized sink). The filth 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 obvious.
Whether or not you utilize cool operating water or the soaking methodology, make sure you take a look at every leaf to ensure there’s no clinging filth or particles. Due to the way in which they develop, collard greens could be tough to scrub. And consider me nobody needs gritty greens!
Play some music and take the time to scrub 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 maintain for every week or longer within the fridge.
In case your greens are moist. Use a salad spinner to take away any clinging moisture earlier than inserting in an hermetic bag or container and into the fridge.
TIP: Prep your New Yr’s Day collard greens the week earlier than on the similar time you’re cleansing and slicing your Christmas greens.
Finest solution to retailer greens
Recent, unwashed collard greens will final a couple of week within the fridge. The secret’s ensuring the greens are dry. So wash them proper earlier than you’re able to prepare dinner them.
You may also put together the greens this manner. Wash, reduce, 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.
Reducing 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 take advantage of a slicing board and chef’s knife.
Step One: Stack the leaves inserting the most important ones on the underside of the pile. I’ve eliminated the stems however you possibly can maintain the thinner stems in, in the event you choose.
Step 2: Roll the greens into a good roll, being cautious to tuck all leaves inside. The ultimate roll ought to seem like a fats cigar.
Step 3: Maintain the roll firmly towards the slicing board. Use the knife to slice by means of 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 facet dish recipe or conventional braised collard greens and extra!
Learn how to Lower Collard Greens
Step-by-step information to choosing, cleansing, slicing and storing collard greens.
Servings: 1 small bunch
Price: $2
Notes
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