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Savory Southern Collard Greens with Ham Hock

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A comforting Southern recipe featuring slow-simmered collard greens infused with smoky ham hock, garlic, and a touch of vinegar for balanced flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds fresh collard greens, washed
  • 1 large ham hock (1 to 1.5 pounds)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped
  • 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (60 ml)
  • 4 cups chicken broth (960 ml), low-sodium preferred
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or bacon fat

Instructions

  1. Remove the tough stems from collard greens by folding each leaf in half and slicing along the stem. Chop leaves into roughly 2-inch pieces. Rinse thoroughly in cold water, soaking and swishing twice, then drain in a salad spinner.
  2. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or bacon fat in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Nestle the ham hock into the pot and pour in 4 cups of chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook gently for about 1 hour to extract smoky flavor and tenderize the meat.
  4. Add the prepared collard greens in batches, stirring well to wilt them down. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cover and simmer gently for another 45 minutes to 1 hour until greens are tender but not mushy.
  5. Stir in 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar during the last 10 minutes of cooking to brighten the dish. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Remove the ham hock, shred any tender meat, and stir it back into the greens if desired. Serve hot as a side or main dish.

Notes

If the pot gets too dry during cooking, add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking. Thoroughly wash collard greens to remove grit. Add vinegar near the end to avoid toughening greens. Shredding ham hock meat and stirring it back in adds extra flavor. For vegetarian version, substitute ham hock with smoked paprika and vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: collard greens, ham hock, Southern recipe, comfort food, slow simmer, smoky greens, easy collard greens

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/savory-southern-collard-greens-with-ham-hock-easy-recipe-for-perfect-comfort-food/