Cheap Eats Part 3-Greens

Another wonderfully delicious, yet cheap, food is greens. Greens remain one of the cheapest fresh vegetables throughout the year. This is because they have three growing seasons, early spring, mid summer and winter. I was at our local farmers market this past weekend and the greens were by far the cheapest fresh vegetables. Greens are also yummy and super healthy. They are what my Mom calls a super food. Here are some of my favorite ways to eat them:

Southern Style Collard Greens

1 ham hock
2 bunches collard greens
4 dried cayenne or other red chilies
salt and pepper
hot sauce to taste

Bring ham hock, chilies and lots of water to boil. Cook 30 minutes. Add chopped greens, some salt and cook 2 hours. Season to taste with hot sauce.


Garlicky Spinach

3 cloves garlic thinly sliced
2 bunches fresh spinach (or other quick cooking greens)
olive oil
salt and pepper

Heat olive oil in pan. Add garlic and cook till just beginning to brown. Add spinach and some salt and pepper. Cook just until wilted.


Spicy Mustard Greens

2 bunches mustard greens
2 cloves garlic sliced
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
olive oil
salt and pepper

Heat oil and saute garlic and pepper flakes. When garlic starts to brown add greens and cook until just wilted. Season with salt and pepper.


Cumin Spiced Kale (adapted from Moosewood low-fat favorites)

1/2 onion chopped
3 cloves garlic chopped
4 tomatoes chopped, or one can of tomatoes diced
1 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 large bunch of kale
olive oil
salt and pepper

Heat oil in skillet. Saute onion 5 minutes. Add garlic saute another minute. Meanwhile wash and chop kale. Add cumin and cayenne to skillet. Cook one minute. Add kale and tomatoes. Cover and cook 15 minutes until Kale is tender.

Greens are also great additions to soups, lentils, curries and stir Fry's. They are very rich in nutrients, especially iron. Perhaps best of all, most cook in a matter of minutes, making them the perfect side dish for any weeknight meal!