Discover ways to reduce collard greens plus the place to purchase them and the right way to choose, clear, and retailer recent collard greens on this information. Additionally, uncover the numerous 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 way of the right way to prep and reduce collard greens to make vegan collard greens, these straightforward honey cider collards, a wholesome weeknight facet dish or so as to add to soup or stew.
You’ll see precisely the right way to 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 Ok, fiber, and plenty of polyphenols that will contribute extra well being advantages similar to defending our physique’s cells from harm.
Collards are additionally versatile within the kitchen. I desire them as a facet 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 finest cooked in my view.
Collard greens are in season throughout the cooler months and style finest 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 prepare dinner. The massive bunches of collards with the extra mature leaves are additionally positive. Simply know that you just’ll must prepare dinner them longer and the cleansing and reducing course of is usually a bit extra cumbersome.
I like to recommend recent 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 are 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 can too 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 can take a while. And there are two essential strategies. I desire the primary technique however the second would possibly save slightly water.
Methodology One
– Separate the bunch of collard greens into particular person leaves.
– Rinse every leaf rigorously below cool working water. Take care to rub away any soil or particles which 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 grime will settle to the underside of the bowl.
– Change the water a number of instances. You’ll know the greens are clear when the water is obvious.
Whether or not you utilize cool working water or the soaking technique, you’ll want to take a look at every leaf to ensure there’s no clinging grime or particles. Due to the way in which they develop, collard greens may be troublesome to scrub. And imagine me nobody desires gritty greens!
Play some music and take the time to scrub your greens. Prep an additional bunch whilst you’re at it!
Storing recent 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 reducing your Christmas greens.
Greatest strategy to retailer greens
Contemporary, unwashed collard greens will final a few 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 can too put together the greens this fashion. 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 probably the most expert cooks, I exploit a reducing 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 may preserve the thinner stems in, should you desire.
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 reducing board. Use the knife to slice by way 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 dimension 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!
How one can Lower Collard Greens
Step-by-step information to selecting, cleansing, reducing and storing collard greens.
Servings: 1 small bunch
Value: $2
Notes
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