Fresh collard greens

[julirama723]

I bought some fresh collards, hoping to use those huge leaves as a burrito wrap or a burger wrap. Anyone tried this? I'm not really into cooking them, I'd like some RAW collard recipes...

Thanks!

[HeidiE]

Re: Fresh collard greens

well they are kind of tough and bitter raw actually so I am not sure... take a bite of one and see if you like it first .then if you do just roll something up and taste it ...I think maybe blanching them first might help with the bitter...I always cook them personally ....they are so loaded with vits and minerals no matter how you eat them you are doing your body a great service!!!!

my dog loves them so much she picks the ones I have growing in my garden for a snack!!!!

[julirama723]

Re: Fresh collard greens

How long should I cook them if I want them to remain intact? Most recipes I've seen say to cook them until very very soft.

Heck well I might as well find some cooked recipes huh? I checked out the ones in the recipes forum...I'm not sure about the hamhock ones, but adding bacon sounds delish.

[HeidiE]

Re: Fresh collard greens

here is how I usually cook them ...

brown some garlic and one diced jalepeno ... you can use bacon olive oil or whatever you like for the oily part bacon gives it a really nice flavor ..

when soft but not quite browned toss in the chopped collards ( I am not so sure how long to cook them if you want to wrap them I always cook them soft) ...and a dash of salt and pepper put the lid on and let them cook over medium (I dont add water it seems there is plenty in the collards) until the liquid is released (check and stir every so often ..this is good in the crock pot btw) then when that happens taste the broth and see what you think ..if you want you can add a chicken or ham cube for flavor or even a can of diced tomatoes ....the longer you cook them the better they taste...

that is it enjoy!!!

[julirama723]

Re: Fresh collard greens

Heidi, thanks so much! I will definitely be trying these tonight, as I happen to have all of these ingredients on hand.

I had seen those huge leaves and immediately visions of burritos danced in my head. Stubborn me, I wanted to find a way to make those burritos come to life. But I know I will have success with this recipe if it's yours! Heck, I bet my bf will even like these, and he's pickier than picky!

[HeidiE]

Re: Fresh collard greens

take a bite of a raw collard and see some are more bitter than others you will not die if you eat one they are just kind of tough as a rule ..but the ones you bought may be just fine ...you never know until you try that is for sure good luck ...it is my monday and I must go work now ...

[Quitstretchin']

Re: Fresh collard greens

You could possibly steam them while they are still whole. This should keep them in tact. Maybe add a little vinegar to the water to help with the bitter taste.

I personally boil them. I remove the stems, wash them in kosher or sea salt water about 10 times, cut them up into bite size pieces and then add them to a pot that I already have boiling with about 2/3 of the pot filled with water, 2 pieces of smoked turkey parts (I am partial to smoked turkey necks, but you can use any part...or any kind of meat for flavoring, such as bacon or salt pork), about 1/4 of an onion, 1/4 of a green pepper, 1/2 celery stalk, a pinch of dried red pepper flakes (or a few shakes of hotsauce if you don't have flakes), a teaspoon of vinegar and a tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.

BTW...the pot with the above items will have been cooking for at least an hour before adding the greens (to pull the flavor out of the smoked turkey). I let the pot get to a boil, then I put the top on and let simmer for about 30 min. to an hour. Start tasting and the water at about 30 minutes to see if you like them. It is ture tha the longer they cook, the better they taste. Also, the bitterness decreases the longer they cook. I then eat the finished greens and have the smoked turkey as my protein.

I have also heard to boil them until they are "soft". Over time, I found that I like the texture of them more when they are a bit "chewy". I also believe in my mind that they hold more nutritional value when you don't boil the life out of them.

Good luck...however you cook them, they are good!! Probably one of my favorite veggies.

[not2late]

Re: Fresh collard greens

Collards are tough. Generally the larger the leaf, the tougher it is. I cook them the old fashioned Southern way boiled with ham or bacon until they are soft. I also drink the cooking liquid, so I don't waste any of the nutrients.

If you are looking for wrap-type leaves, you might want to try Swiss Chard (lightly steam them) or savoy cabbage. Savoy cabbage is the cabbage with the wrinkly or crepe-paper looking leaves. Lightly steam them too.

[julirama723]

Re: Fresh collard greens

Thanks quitstretchin, and not2late!

Q--that sounds delicious!

not2late--I will DEFINITELY try those other leaves...usually I use looseleaf lettuce, but I want to try something that's a little more nutrient-dense. Thanks!

[HeidiE]

Re: Fresh collard greens

so what did you do with them?

[julirama723]

Re: Fresh collard greens

I made them like you said...um but I didn't really like them. I don't like any sort of cooked leaves (like spinach or cabbage, etc.) but I was hoping I'd like these...

It's definitely NOT the recipe--the flavor was great, it's just the texture of the cooked greens that I didn't dig.

[HeidiE]

Re: Fresh collard greens

collards are about the strongest green I know LOLOL good for you for trying them but ..totally if you are not into liking greens those are NOT going to be the ones you do like...

I am the same about brocolli and cauliflower

[Quitstretchin']

Re: Fresh collard greens

Man, I sure was hopin' you liked them. My mouth was watering the day I posted to you on how I cook mine!

They are one of my favorites. I am about to start boiling some smoked turkey parts to make up a broth. Then I am going to boil a bag of pre-washed collards tomorrow. I may actually put them in the crockpot on low tonight before I go to bed so that they will be ready in the morning. I will have them for lunch! The slower they cook, the more they suck up the broth's good flavor.
Keep tryin' new things!

[julirama723]

Re: Fresh collard greens

I might try them again...I'm pretty stubborn. They're so dark and leafy, I MUST find a way to like them! They're so healthy! But if not, I'll just try other new veggies...I've got a lot left to experiment with.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Fresh collard greens

Julie, I'll try to get my sister's recipe. My DH wouldn't touch collards and won't unless my sister makes them. She puts something hot in them....but I can't recall what it was.