Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham
When it comes to greens, collards tend to live in the shadow of lettuce, spinach and even kale—except in the South. There, collard greens, which taste like a cross between kale and cabbage, star in a dish that inspires lots of love and plenty of controversy, too. One classic debate: Should collards be cooked until silken or left with a bit of texture? That’s what we love about this recipe—it features all the rich savory flavor of the classic dish but is prepared using a simplified set-it-and-forget-it method that leaves room for customization. Those who like their collards meltingly tender should let their greens stew together with the ham bone and other ingredients until the six-hour point, while those who prefer a more toothsome texture can stop at four. So if you’ve been leaving collard greens on the grocery display, consider this your easy entry to enjoying this under-the-radar-but-totally-terrific veggie!
Ingredient
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cooked ham bone (1 to 2 lb), with remaining meat still attached
- 2 cups thinly sliced onions
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 5 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 2 cups Progresso chicken broth
- 1 1/2 lb collard greens, ribs removed, cut in 1-inch strips (about 3 bunches)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Direction
- Spray 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In 12-inch skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat until hot. Cook ham bone in oil 4 to 6 minutes, turning several times, until browned on all sides. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Add remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil to same skillet. Add onions and pepper flakes; cook over medium heat 2 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until beginning to brown. Add garlic and brown sugar; cook 1 minute. Stir in broth; heat just to simmering. Stir in greens, a few handfuls at a time, until wilted slightly.
- Pour mixture around ham bone in slow cooker. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours or until collards reach desired tenderness. Remove bone; chop ham from bone, and stir into greens. Stir in vinegar.
