Collard greens are a delicious and nutritious leafy green vegetable that is often associated with Southern cuisine. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, making them a great addition to any meal. One popular way to prepare collard greens is by cooking them with smoked turkey tails.
Smoked turkey tails are a flavorful and smoky meat that adds a rich taste to the greens. They can be found at most grocery stores or butcher shops. Smoked turkey tails are a popular ingredient in soul food cooking and are often used to season various dishes.
To begin, start by washing the collard greens thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit. Next, remove the tough stems from the leaves and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Set the greens aside while you prepare the smoked turkey tails.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the smoked turkey tails and enough water to cover them completely. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the turkey tails are tender.
While the turkey tails are simmering, you can prepare the collard greens. In a separate pot, bring water to a boil and add the chopped collard greens. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until they are tender but still slightly crisp. Drain the greens and set them aside.
Preparation and Cooking Instructions for Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey Tails
Collard greens are a traditional Southern dish that pairs perfectly with smoked turkey tails for a flavorful and hearty meal. Follow these simple preparation and cooking instructions to make a delicious pot of collard greens with smoked turkey tails.
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch of collard greens
- 1 pound of smoked turkey tails
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Start by washing the collard greens thoroughly. Remove the tough stems and discard. Chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become fragrant and translucent.
- Add the smoked turkey tails to the pot and cook them until they are browned on all sides.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Add the collard greens to the pot, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together to ensure the collard greens are coated in the flavorful broth.
- Cover the pot and simmer the collard greens for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until they are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the collard greens are cooked to your desired tenderness, remove the pot from heat and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve your collard greens with smoked turkey tails hot as a side dish or over rice for a complete meal. Enjoy!
With these simple instructions, you can easily prepare and cook a delicious batch of collard greens with smoked turkey tails. The combination of the tender greens and smoky turkey flavor will have your taste buds begging for more.
Gather Ingredients and Equipment
Before you start cooking collard greens with smoked turkey tails, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch of collard greens
- 2 smoked turkey tails
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional for some heat)
Equipment:
- A large pot
- A cutting board
- A sharp knife
- A wooden spoon
- A colander
- A serving dish
Make sure you have all the ingredients measured and the equipment cleaned and ready to use before you begin cooking. Having everything prepared and organized will make the cooking process much easier and more enjoyable.
Clean and Prepare the Collard Greens
Before cooking collard greens, it is important to clean and prepare them properly. Follow these steps to ensure your greens are ready to be cooked:
1. Gather the Ingredients:
Collect all the necessary ingredients for preparing the collard greens:
- 1 bunch of fresh collard greens
- 1 pound of smoked turkey tails
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
2. Wash the Collard Greens:
Thoroughly wash the collard greens under cool running water to remove any dirt or debris. Pay special attention to the stems and leaves, making sure they are clean.
3. Remove the Tough Stems:
Using a sharp knife, carefully cut out the tough stems from each collard green leaf. Discard the stems or save them for another use, such as composting.
4. Chop the Collard Greens:
Stack several clean collard green leaves on top of each other. Roll them tightly, then slice across the roll to create thin strips. Repeat this process until all the collard greens are chopped into strips.
5. Cook the Smoked Turkey Tails:
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become fragrant and translucent.
Add the smoked turkey tails to the pot and cook them for about 5 minutes, until they start to brown.
Remove the smoked turkey tails from the pot and set them aside for later. The flavorful fat will be used to cook the collard greens.
6. Cook the Collard Greens:
In the same pot with the remaining fat, add the chopped collard greens and toss them in the fat until they are coated. Cook the collard greens for about 2 minutes, until they start to wilt.
Pour in the chicken broth and return the smoked turkey tails to the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 60-90 minutes, until the collard greens are tender.
Taste the collard greens and season with salt and pepper as desired.
By following these steps, you will have clean and prepared collard greens ready for cooking with smoked turkey tails. Enjoy!
Prepare the Smoked Turkey Tails
To begin cooking collard greens with smoked turkey tails, you will need to prepare the turkey tails first. Follow these steps:
- Start by rinsing the smoked turkey tails under cold water to remove any excess salt or brine. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Next, place the turkey tails in a large stockpot or Dutch oven and add enough water to cover them completely. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer the turkey tails for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until they are tender and the meat easily comes off the bone.
- While the turkey tails are simmering, you can prepare the rest of the ingredients for the collard greens.
- After the turkey tails are done cooking, remove them from the pot and set them aside to cool. Once they are cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones and chop it into small pieces.
Your smoked turkey tails are now ready to be added to the collard greens. Keep the turkey meat aside until you are ready to cook the greens.
Cooking the Collard Greens
Now that you have prepared the smoked turkey tails and washed the collard greens, it’s time to cook them. Follow these steps to make a delicious dish:
Step 1: Boil the turkey tails
Fill a large pot with water and add the smoked turkey tails. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat and let the turkey tails cook for about 45 minutes to an hour to ensure they are tender.
Step 2: Sauté the onions and garlic
In a separate pan, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and minced garlic to the pan and cook until they become fragrant and slightly translucent.
Step 3: Add the collard greens
Once the turkey tails are tender, remove them from the pot and set them aside. In the same pot, add the collard greens to the boiling water. Cook them for about 10 minutes or until they become wilted.
Step 4: Season and simmer
Add the cooked turkey tails, sautéed onions, and garlic to the pot with the collard greens. Season with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices or seasonings. Reduce the heat to low and let the greens simmer for about an hour to allow all the flavors to meld together.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy
Once the collard greens are tender and infused with the flavors of the smoked turkey tails, onions, and garlic, they are ready to be served. Spoon them onto a plate or bowl and enjoy as a main dish or side dish.
Remember to adjust the cooking time and seasoning based on your taste preferences. Collard greens can be served with cornbread, rice, or other traditional Southern side dishes for a complete meal.
Serve and Enjoy
Once the collard greens with smoked turkey tails are cooked to perfection, it’s time to serve and enjoy this delicious Southern dish. Here are some tips on how to serve and enjoy your collard greens:
- Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the collard greens and smoked turkey tails to a serving dish. Make sure to drain any excess cooking liquid.
- Drizzle some of the cooking liquid over the top of the collard greens for added flavor.
- Consider serving the collard greens alongside other Southern favorites such as cornbread, baked macaroni and cheese, or fried chicken for a complete meal.
- Garnish the collard greens with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a little extra kick.
- Serve the collard greens hot and enjoy the rich, smoky flavors that the smoked turkey tails impart.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat in a saucepan or microwave before enjoying.
Whether served as a side dish or the star of the meal, collard greens with smoked turkey tails are sure to please your taste buds. So gather your friends and family, serve up a plate of this comforting dish, and enjoy a taste of Southern cooking!
Q&A
What are collard greens?
Collard greens are dark leafy vegetables that are part of the cabbage family. They have thick, tough leaves and a slightly bitter taste.
What are smoked turkey tails?
Smoked turkey tails are a flavorful and fatty cut of meat from the tail area of a turkey. They are often used as a seasoning or to add richness to dishes.
How do I cook collard greens with smoked turkey tails?
To cook collard greens with smoked turkey tails, first, rinse the greens thoroughly and remove any tough stems. Then, in a large pot, cook the smoked turkey tails until they are browned and the fat has rendered. Add diced onion, garlic, and seasonings like salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir in the collard greens and cook until wilted. Pour in chicken broth or water, cover, and simmer for about an hour or until the greens are tender. Serve hot.
Can I substitute smoked turkey tails with another meat?
Yes, you can substitute smoked turkey tails with other meats like smoked ham hocks, bacon, or salt pork. These meats will add a similar smoky flavor and richness to the collard greens.
Are collard greens with smoked turkey tails healthy?
Collard greens with smoked turkey tails can be a healthy dish, as collard greens are packed with nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals like calcium and iron. However, smoked turkey tails are high in fat and sodium, so it’s important to enjoy this dish in moderation as part of a balanced diet.