How you can Minimize Collard Greens

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Learn to reduce collard greens plus the place to purchase them and how you can decide, clear, and retailer contemporary 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 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 means of how you can prep and reduce collard greens to make vegan collard greens, these straightforward honey cider collards, a wholesome weeknight aspect dish or so as to add to soup or stew.

You’ll see precisely how you can clear, reduce, and cook dinner this southern staple vegetable each in photos and a fast video!

Table of Contents

Why are collard greens wholesome?

Collard greens are nutritious. They supply calcium, vitamin Ok, fiber, and many 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 favor them as a aspect 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 need to use collards for a salad, they’re finest cooked for my part.

Collard greens are in season in the course of the cooler months and style finest in December and January. So, now could be 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 cook dinner. The large bunches of collards with the extra mature leaves are additionally superb. Simply know that you simply’ll have to cook 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 more durable in texture.

Select collard greens which can be 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.

It’s also possible to 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 major strategies. I favor the primary technique however the second would possibly save a bit of water.

Methodology One
– Separate the bunch of collard greens into particular person leaves.
– Rinse every leaf fastidiously underneath 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 organize 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 occasions. You’ll know the greens are clear when the water is obvious.

Whether or not you employ cool operating water or the soaking technique, remember to take a look at every leaf to ensure there’s no clinging grime or particles. Due to the best way they develop, collard greens might be tough to wash. And imagine me nobody needs 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 hold 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 similar time you’re cleansing and slicing your Christmas greens.

Greatest approach to retailer greens

Contemporary, unwashed collard greens will final a couple of week within the fridge. The secret’s ensuring the greens are dry. So wash them proper earlier than you’re able to cook dinner them.

It’s also possible to 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.

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 exploit a slicing 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’ll be able to hold the thinner stems in, in case you favor.

Collard greens stacked and able to be rolled.

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.

Marisa rolling collard leaves — Rolling the leaves

Step 3: Maintain the roll firmly in opposition to 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 dimension slice is ideal for a fast saute. Use thicker slices for longer cooking recipes.

Thinly sliced collard greens (a chiffonade) able to cook dinner.

Use your collard greens for a fast aspect dish recipe or conventional braised collard greens and extra!