CAN YOU FREEZE FRESH COLLARD GREENS RECIPES

Steps:

• Place 3 cups of water in a large pot and bring to a boil.
• Wash and scrub the Ham Hock well, cut into sections and add to the boiling water.
• Let Ham Hock simmer for about 30 minutes on medium heat.
• Wash the collard greens scrubbing each leaf under cool running water until clean.
• Fold each collard leaf in half, either in your hand or on your cutting board.
• Pull the leaf section away from the stem. Discard stems.
• Stack a couple of leaves together on your cutting board.
• Begin at one end and roll the leaves up tightly. Then, cut lengthwise down the center of the roll.
• Squeeze the cut sections back together, rotate and cut the roll into about 3/4 inch slices.
• Add leaves to the pot a little at a time, let them cook down a minute and then add more.
• Reduce heat to a low simmer, leave the pot uncovered and simmer for about 30 minutes.
• Chop the onions and chop or mince the garlic cloves.
• In a small saucepan on medium low heat, add the butter and let it melt.
• Add the chopped onions and garlic to the butter and sauté until onions are translucent.
• Add the cooked onions and garlic to your stock pot with the collard leaves.
• Add salt, sugar, black pepper and Texas Pete Hot Sauce in amounts listed. Stir well.
• Let simmer another 15 minutes or until the collards are as tender as you prefer.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the greens and place in a bowl. Let the liquid continue to simmer.
• Chop the greens into smaller pieces but not to the point of being mushy.
• Remove the ham hock, chop the meatier portions into small pieces and return to the liquid.
• Return the chopped collard greens to the liquid and stir well.
• Keep warm until ready to serve.

Steps:

• Start by tearing each leaf off the stalk and placing the leaves in a clean sink full of cold water. Plunge the leaves several times into the water to clean them. Discard the stalk and any other debris. Drain the sink and rinse well.
• One-by-one, trim the center rib (midrib) from each leaf, cutting each leaf into two halves, discarding the rib. Add the leaves back to the sink and fill with cold water again to ensure they’re clean. Drain collards. A lot of folks skip this step but I think taking the time to trim that thick, fibrous rib out ensures your collards will be tender and not bitter.
• Place 6-8 leaves in a stack and roll tightly (like you’re rolling a cigar). Slice roll into 1-1/2 inch ribbons. Continue the process with remaining collards then set aside until ready to cook.
• Using the biggest skillet or widest pot you have (that has a lid), cook bacon and bacon grease over medium-high heat, uncovered, until bacon is almost crisp. Add onions and continue cooking until onions are translucent.
• Add as much of the collards as will fit in the skillet and toss to coat in the bacon drippings. Cover skillet with lid and let collards cook down (wilt) for 2-3 minutes. Add more collards and repeat this step until all collards are in the skillet.
• Reduce heat to low, salt to taste and continue cooking, covered, for about an hour or until collards are as tender as you like them; stir occasionally.
• If your collards don’t put off enough pot liquor (rendered liquid from the greens), add chicken stock or water, 1/4 cup at a time, to ensure there’s a little liquid (maybe a 1/4 inch) in the bottom of the skillet at all times.