Collard greens are a staple for people living in the southern United States and have been for a long time. Nevertheless, as a result of so many collard greens recipes include ham hocks or other meats that include a substantial amount of fats, the nutritional value of this vegetable is commonly overlooked. Collards provide lots of healthy fiber and should be considered whenever you buy green foods. They include vitamin C and anti bacterial and anti-most cancers agents. There are many methods to prepare dinner collard greens.

In the event you choose to taste your greens with a smoked ham hock, smoked neck bones or turkey legs (the more healthy selection) you’ll want to put them in a stock pot with chilly water over a medium flame. The quantity of meat used will depend upon the amount of greens that you are cooking. Allow the meat to cook dinner for 2-three hours or till it is falling off the bone.

While this is cooking you’ll need to “decide” and wash your greens. Selecting means to remove the large stems. Eradicating too many stems may also take away flavor and nutrients. Upon getting eliminated the stems you will then roll up the leaves and lower them into strips or you might favor to tear them.

The following step is to scrub the greens. This is very important as you wish to make sure to remove any dust or sand. It is suggested to begin by soaking the greens in water with salt and vinegar for about 10 minutes. Pour the water off and repeat the process. If the first water that is poured off does not appear to be too soiled it’s possible you’ll not must “soak” the greens for the second time. Nevertheless, you’ll want to continue to wash and rinse the greens as many instances as needed till you might be glad that the greens are clean. Once you’re glad rinse them one final time and put them into the pot with the meat.

For added seasoning you’ll want to add chopped garlic cloves or garlic powder, crushed purple pepper, 1 chopped onion or onion powder, salt, black pepper, one tablespoon of sugar and 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar. Once the pot comes to a boil you will cover and permit the greens to simmer on medium stirring occasionally. The greens may take anyplace from thirty minutes to an hour on medium heat. You might desire to simmer them on low for as much as two hours. The greens can be performed when they’re tender to taste.

Another collard greens recipe that has not too long ago gained reputation is “sautéed collard greens.” You’ll pick and wash and minimize the greens as described within the earlier recipe. You’ll then blanch the greens in boiling water for about half-hour and drain them. Then place bacon drippings right into a skillet. Use approximately two tablespoons of bacon drippings for every bunch of greens. Add one chopped onion sauteing till tender. Add the greens, salt, pepper and sugar, cooking till tender. After getting tried collard greens you will perceive their popularity.