Discover ways to minimize collard greens plus the place to purchase them and the right 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 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 way of the right way to prep and minimize 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 right way 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 Ok, fiber, and many polyphenols which will contribute extra well being advantages comparable to defending our physique’s cells from injury.
Collards are additionally versatile within the kitchen. I want 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 need to use collards for a salad, they’re greatest cooked in my view.
Collard greens are in season throughout 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 massive bunches of collards with the extra mature leaves are additionally wonderful. 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 more durable in texture.
Select collard greens which can 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.
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
It will take a while. And there are two fundamental strategies. I want the primary technique 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 operating 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 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 evident.
Whether or not you employ cool operating water or the soaking technique, make sure 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 will be tough to scrub. And consider me nobody needs gritty greens!
Play some music and take the time to scrub 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 preserve for every 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 12 months’s Day collard greens the week earlier than on the identical time you’re cleansing and chopping your Christmas greens.
Finest method to retailer greens
Recent, unwashed collard greens will final a few week within the fridge. The secret is ensuring the greens are dry. So wash them proper earlier than you’re able to prepare dinner them.
It’s also possible to 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 probably the most expert cooks, I take advantage of a chopping 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, should you want.
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.
Step 3: Maintain the roll firmly towards the chopping board. Use the knife to slice by way 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.
Use your collard greens for a fast facet dish recipe or conventional braised collard greens and extra!
Minimize Collard Greens
Step-by-step information to choosing, cleansing, chopping and storing collard greens.
Servings: 1 small bunch
Value: $2
Notes
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