Learn to minimize collard greens plus the place to purchase them and methods to choose, 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 minimize 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 by means of methods to prep and minimize 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 methods to clear, minimize, 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 many polyphenols which will contribute further well being advantages similar to defending our physique’s cells from harm.
Collards are additionally versatile within the kitchen. I want them as a facet dish however have additionally added them to soups and stews. You possibly can 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 for my part.
Collard greens are in season in the course of the cooler months and style greatest 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 large bunches of collards with the extra mature leaves are additionally fantastic. Simply know that you just’ll have to prepare dinner them longer and the cleansing and slicing course of generally is 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 want the primary methodology however the second would possibly save a bit 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 evident.
Whether or not you utilize cool working water or the soaking methodology, remember to have a look at every leaf to verify there’s no clinging grime or particles. Due to the best way they develop, collard greens will 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 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 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 technique 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 prepare dinner them.
You may also put together the greens this fashion. Wash, minimize, 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 essentially the most expert cooks, I exploit a slicing board and chef’s knife.
Step One: Stack the leaves inserting the biggest ones on the underside of the pile. I’ve eliminated the stems however you’ll be able to preserve the thinner stems in, when you want.
Step 2: Roll the greens into a good roll, being cautious to tuck all leaves inside. The ultimate roll ought to appear to be 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!
Lower Collard Greens
Step-by-step information to choosing, cleansing, slicing and storing collard greens.
Servings: 1 small bunch
Value: $2
Notes
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