Learn to reduce collard greens plus the place to purchase them and 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 reduce them earlier than cooking. Plus, the best way you chop you chop 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 by 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 clear, reduce, 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 which will contribute extra well being advantages corresponding to defending our physique’s cells from injury.
Collards are additionally versatile within the kitchen. I choose 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 greatest cooked in my view.
Collard greens are in season in the course of the cooler months and style greatest 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 cook dinner. The large bunches of collards with the extra mature leaves are additionally superb. Simply know that you simply’ll must cook 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 more durable in texture.
Select collard greens which are 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 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 predominant strategies. I choose the primary technique however the second would possibly save somewhat water.
Methodology One
– Separate the bunch of collard greens into particular person leaves.
– Rinse every leaf fastidiously 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 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 technique, remember to take a look at every leaf to ensure there’s no clinging dust or particles. Due to the best way they develop, collard greens could be troublesome to wash. And consider me nobody desires gritty greens!
Play some music and take the time to wash your greens. Prep an additional bunch whilst 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 Yr’s Day collard greens the week earlier than on the identical time you’re cleansing and slicing your Christmas greens.
Greatest strategy to retailer greens
Recent, unwashed collard greens will final a few week within the fridge. The bottom line is ensuring the greens are dry. So wash them proper earlier than you’re able to cook dinner them.
You can even 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.
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 probably the most expert cooks, I exploit a slicing board and chef’s knife.
Step One: Stack the leaves putting the most important ones on the underside of the pile. I’ve eliminated the stems however you may preserve the thinner stems in, if you happen to choose.
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 towards the slicing board. Use the knife to slice by 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!
Find out 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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