Discover ways to minimize collard greens plus the place to purchase them and learn how 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 way in which 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 way of learn how to prep and minimize 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 learn how to clear, minimize, 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 Ok, fiber, and plenty of polyphenols which will contribute further well being advantages similar to 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 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 high-quality. Simply know that you simply’ll must cook 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 harder in texture.
Select collard greens which are 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.
You may as well 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 favor the primary technique however the second may save slightly water.
Technique One
– Separate the bunch of collard greens into particular person leaves.
– Rinse every leaf rigorously underneath cool working water. Take care to rub away any soil or particles which may acquire on the leaf and particularly across the stem on the entrance and bottom. As soon as clear, put aside to organize to slice.
Technique Two
– Swish and soak the greens in a big bowl of cool water (or a sanitized sink). The filth 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 utilize cool working water or the soaking technique, you’ll want to have a look at every leaf to verify there’s no clinging filth or particles. Due to the way in which they develop, collard greens may be tough to scrub. And imagine 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 maintain 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 chopping your Christmas greens.
Finest solution to retailer greens
Recent, unwashed collard greens will final a couple of week within the fridge. The secret is ensuring the greens are dry. So wash them proper earlier than you’re able to cook dinner them.
You may as well 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.
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 essentially the most expert cooks, I exploit a chopping 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 possibly can maintain the thinner stems in, when you favor.
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 in opposition to 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 aspect dish recipe or conventional braised collard greens and extra!
Tips on how to Minimize Collard Greens
Step-by-step information to selecting, cleansing, chopping and storing collard greens.
Servings: 1 small bunch
Price: $2
Notes
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