Learn to reduce collard greens plus the place to purchase them and the way to choose, clear, and retailer recent 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 reduce them earlier than cooking. Plus, the best way 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 via the way to 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 the way to clear, reduce, and prepare dinner this southern staple vegetable each in footage and a fast video!
Why are collard greens wholesome?
Collard greens are nutritious. They supply calcium, vitamin Okay, fiber, and plenty of polyphenols which will contribute further well being advantages reminiscent of defending our physique’s cells from injury.
Collards are additionally versatile within the kitchen. I desire 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 utilize collards for a salad, they’re finest cooked in my view.
Collard greens are in season in the course of 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 high-quality. Simply know that you simply’ll have to prepare dinner them longer and the cleansing and chopping 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 colour 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 even 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 essential strategies. I desire the primary technique however the second would possibly save just a little water.
Technique One
– Separate the bunch of collard greens into particular person leaves.
– Rinse every leaf rigorously beneath 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 organize to slice.
Technique 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 occasions. You’ll know the greens are clear when the water is obvious.
Whether or not you utilize cool operating water or the soaking technique, be sure you take a look at every leaf to verify there’s no clinging grime or particles. Due to the best way they develop, collard greens could be tough 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 recent greens
Prep forward: Clear a few collard bunches at a time. The clear, sliced and dry greens will maintain 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 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 chopping your Christmas greens.
Finest approach to retailer greens
Contemporary, unwashed collard greens will final a few week within the fridge. The hot button is ensuring the greens are dry. So wash them proper earlier than you’re able to prepare dinner them.
You can even 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.
Slicing 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 take advantage of a chopping 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 desire.
Step 2: Roll the greens into a good roll, being cautious to tuck all leaves inside. The ultimate roll ought to appear like a fats cigar.
Step 3: Maintain the roll firmly in opposition to 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 facet dish recipe or conventional braised collard greens and extra!
How one can Reduce Collard Greens
Step-by-step information to choosing, cleansing, chopping and storing collard greens.
Servings: 1 small bunch
Price: $2
Notes
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