Not My Momma's Collard Greens: Mean Greens, Vegan Style

When I was growing up collard greens were practically a staple in our home.

My dad grew collards in our backyard garden and my job was to pick, wash, cut, blanch

and freeze them for the winter.

That was not a chore that I always enjoyed as a kid, so one day I remember experimenting

by putting the greens in our washing machine to see if I could use the agitation to clean off

the dirt and insects–the same way we cleaned our clothes.

You can just imagine how pissed my mother was when she discovered what I did.

Those were my pre-vegan days when I ate whatever my mother cooked–or else.

Mom made her collard greens the old-fashioned, soul food way–seasoned with ham hocks,

fat back or neck bones and bacon drippings.

And they tasted great to me back then.

But that was then and this is now…

Nowadays, I make my greens, vegan style.

Instead of pork, I season my greens with fresh garlic, onion, dried herbs, sea salt, crushed red pepper,

scallions, coconut oil or olive oil to steam or saute my own soul-satisfying pot of greens.

Good Tasting and Good for You!

Not My Momma's Collard Greens: Mean Greens, Vegan Style

More than just a tasty dish, collard greens are a nutritional powerhouse.

They are a rich source for:

*Soluble and insoluble dietary fiber that helps control LDL cholesterol levels and offer

protection against hemorrhoids, constipation as well as colon cancer diseases.

*Phyto-nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as di-indolyl-methane (DIM)

and sulforaphane that have proven benefits against prostate, breast, cervical, colon,

ovarian cancers by virtue of their cancer-cell growth inhibition and cytotoxic effects

on cancer cells.

*B-complex minerals such as niacin (vitamin B-3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5), pyridoxine

(vitamin B-6) and riboflavin.

*Minerals such as iron, calcium, copper, manganese, selenium and zinc.

Not My Momma's Collard Greens: Mean Greens, Vegan Style

*Vitamin-C, a powerful natural anti-oxidant that offers protection against free radical injury

and flu-like viral infections.

*Vitamin-A, (222% of RDA per 100 g) and carotenoid anti-oxidants such as lutein, carotenes,

zea-xanthin, crypto-xanthin, etc. which helps maintain healthy mucus membranes and skin health

and is also essential for healthy vision.

*Vitamin-K, 426% of recommended daily levels per 100 leaves) supports bone health and

benefits Alzheimer’s disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in their brain.

*Folates which are important in DNA synthesis.

Fresh collard greens are generally available year around in food stores, but they are at their

best from November through April.

As my dad would say–“collard greens taste better after the frost hits them”.

I must admit that many of my family members still prefer to eat their greens the old-fashioned way,

but when I make my greens for holiday meals, I notice that they disappear, so someone is eating

them in addition to me.

Mean Greens, Vegan Style

Not My Momma's Collard Greens: Mean Greens, Vegan Style

Ingredients

1 large bunch organic collard greens – washed and sliced into thin strips

1 onion – chopped

4 cloves garlic – sliced

5 organic scallions – chopped

1 teaspoon dried Italian herb seasoning

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon rosemary

1 teaspoon Spike or other salt-free veggie seasonion

1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

Celtic or Himalyan Sea Salt, to taste

1-2 tablespoons coconut or olive oil

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

Not My Momma's Collard Greens: Mean Greens, Vegan Style
Directions

Wash, roll and slice the collard greens.

Not My Momma's Collard Greens: Mean Greens, Vegan Style

Peel and chop the onions, garlic and scallions.

Saute chopped onions, scallions and garlic in coconut or olive oil

on medium heat for a few minutes.

Once they are soft, add the collard greens to the pot.

Drizzle a little toasted sesame oil over the greens.

Sprinkle seasonings onto the greens.

Turn up the heat and toss the greens rapidly to wilt the leaves.

Turn the heat down to simmer and allow the greens to cook in their

own juices.

Add a small amount of water, if necessary.

After a few minutes, check the greens and stir them again.

Cover and allow to simmer until they are done.

Try not to overcook them.

Not My Momma's Collard Greens: Mean Greens, Vegan Style

Taste test and adjust seasoning as needed.

I like to sprinkle more fresh chopped scallions into the pot of greens

once they are done and toss them with the cooked greens.

I also like to sprinkle a little more dried red pepper flakes on the

greens once they are done.

Serve up and enjoy with the rest of your meal.

I usually eat my greens with brown rice or quinoa, beans, steamed carrots,

winter squash or sweet potatoes.

Sometimes I cube some baked tofu or seasoned tempeh and add it to my

collard greens.

Now that is a delicious treat!

 

How do you prepare and season your collard greens?

Share your suggestions, thoughts and comments with us.

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