Collards

About: Collards fall in the category of extremely nutritious dark green, leafy vegetables. They are one of the most popular members of the brassica family, closely related to kale and cabbage. Both the stalk and leaves are edible, so munch away.

Nutritional Info: 1 cup of collards contains only 11 calories. That same cup contains 1045% DV of Vitamin K and 308% DV Vitamin A. Collards are also rich in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium and Manganese.

Storage: Refrigerate collards in a plastic bag for up to 4-5 days of freshness.

Tips: It is very important not to overcook collards. Extensive cooking may result in loss of vitamins and may trigger an unpleasant sulfur smell, a common reaction of cruciferous vegetables to overcooking. Watch that clock.

Quick Fix: Slice the leaves into 1/2-inch pieces and the stems into 1/4-inch pieces. Let them sit for at least 5 minutes, then steam for 5 minutes. 

Recipes: Sauteed Collared Greens, Lentil and Green Collard Soup