Collard Greens Recipe

"Collard greens are a southern staple that have that comforting flavor of home and nostalgia to many Southerners. This dish combines the bitter, salty, and spicy flavors perfectly while getting a taste of this delicious and nutritious vegetable. Collard greens are usually paired with flavorful smoked meats like ham, bacon, or in this case turkey for a more complex, deeper flavor."

"Wash collard greens and remove the thick stems and veins from the leaves. Then chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Mince garlic and dice onions, green pepper, bell pepper, and jalapeno pepper. Next, in a large pot or Dutch oven, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the green peppers, sweet bell peppers, jalapeno and onions. Sauté until soft. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute."

"Then, add the broth to the Dutch oven then add the crushed red pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Cajun seasoning. Mix well. Add the smoked turkey wings and simmer for an hour. Add the collard greens on top of the smoked turkey wings. Add vinegar and sugar. Once the greens wilt, cover the Dutch oven and simmer for 1 ½ - 2 hours. Remove the turkey bones from the oven/pot. Add salt and pepper to taste and stir contents from Dutch oven."

Collard greens are prepared by removing thick stems and chopping leaves into bite-sized pieces. Aromatics include diced onion, garlic, green pepper, sweet bell pepper, and jalapeño. Saute aromatics in vegetable oil, add chicken broth and spices including crushed red pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and optional Cajun seasoning. Smoked turkey wings simmer in the seasoned broth for an hour before adding collard greens, vinegar, and sugar. Simmer covered until greens are tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Remove turkey bones, season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately alongside cornbread or other Southern sides.

Read at Alternative Medicine Magazine