The vegetables that are related to collar greens are cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and kale.They have been eaten for hundred of years and are used most often in the cuisine of the American South.They are found in most grocery stores in the American South, but they can be hard to find in other places.If you want to buy collard greens, you need to know what you are looking for, look in the right places, and learn how to assess the greens for quality and freshness.
Step 1: Pick out the greens.
You need to know what you are looking for in order to buy the greens.The greens are usually 10 to 12 inches long and have flat leaves.The leaves are larger and the stems are thicker.If you don't know which greens in your store are collard greens, look for signs or markings on the ties that keep them together.You can ask someone who works there.
Step 2: The produce section has produce.
Many grocery stores carry a variety of greens in the produce section, including collard greens.They should be located in a chilled area.In the winter and spring, look for fresh collards in your store.During the times of year, they will be at their lowest price.
Step 3: You can go to a specialty store.
You may need to go to a specialty store if you can't find collard greens at your normal grocery store.collard greens are an important part of African American food culture and are likely to be found in stores that cater to African Americans.The other cultures use the greens in their cooking.It is possible to find collards in a wide variety of specialty stores.
Step 4: There are dark green leaves.
The leaves of the greens should be dark.Light colored veins and stems will be present in the leaves.The leaves of collard greens have a waxy finish, which is a natural way to deter insects.
Step 5: Take a look at the firmness.
The greens are crisp and firm.Firmness will show you that the greens are fresh and that they have been properly stored in the store.Take the greens and bend them a bit.They should not be floppy.
Step 6: Browning or yellowness can be avoided.
The color of the greens is a sign of how old they are.Buying greens that are discolored will result in a sub-par finished product.There are a couple of leaves that are discolored in a bunch of collard greens.There are a few holes in collard greens due to hungry bugs.If the leaves look good, the collards are fine to buy.
Step 7: Keep your greens fresh.
You will want to keep the greens in a plastic bag in the fridge.The plastic bag prevents dehydration and keeps them nice and firm.Do not wash the greens before putting them in the fridge.This will encourage decay.
Step 8: The greens should be washed thoroughly.
When greens are taken, they are usually dirty and hard to harvest.You will have to clean them thoroughly before cooking them.If you want to do this, soak the sink in water and rub it vigorously to remove dirt and debris.Don't just look at the leaf.If you don't clean the individual leaves, you could end up with dirt and girt in your meal.
Step 9: Cook something.
You can use a variety of greens, but most of the time they are boiled in water with a piece of bacon, ham hock, or pork and some salt.Some recipes state upwards of two hours so that the collards become nice and silky and that they take on the flavor of the pork.You need to cut the greens into smaller pieces to cook them.The stems are in the center of the leaves.Roll up the leaf pieces and cut them into ribbons.There are a lot of ways you can use the greens.If you want to experiment with them in your cooking, remember that you can use collard greens instead of cabbage or other greens.