My wife asked me if collards can be frozen like other vegetables. Has anyone ever tried this? I told her here in N. Al we just always plant a late crop and garden pick until a hard freeze, then do without till the spring. She says she remembers her old aunt frezzing collard and turnip greens for winter . My preserving book doesn't cover this, any info is greatly appreciated.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), September 07, 2000

Answers

I've frozen all kinds of greens including collard greens, never had a problem with them. Blanch and freeze. I'll be freezing all sorts of Chinese greens over the next few weeks. If you have whole bunches of greens you can wash them in your washer. Cold water gentle cycle, wash the washer first. Enjoy!

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), September 07, 2000.

Any kind of greens freeze well but have you considered canning them. We dont grow collards in Tn and when my father in law goes south during the winter he brings me back a huge basket of them. I wilt them a little and pack them in qt jars, fill to within 1/2 inch of the top with boiling water. Process 90 min. pints 70minutes. They are fully cooked when done and when you open the jar you just have to heat them for about 10minutes. Then sometime in Dec. you bake a jar of sweet potatoes, cook a jar of greens and make a big pan of cracklin cornbread to go along with your fried venison ribs. Cant hardly eat better than that Blessings Peggy

-- Peggy (wclpc@cookeville.com), September 07, 2000.

Thanks for teaching something new to me. Now to tell Lynn she was right (Yes I do that, its how I keep our marriage strong). I'm really gonna have fun telling my mother that collards freeze well, she was the one that told me to grow em till the frost. Thanks.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), September 07, 2000.

Here in central Connecticut, we have had collards in January by just leaving the plants be, and picking as we need them. A frost makes them taste better, as you probably know. One year, the plants even "came back" the following spring. I think I will try freezing some though!

-- Christina W. (introibo@address.com), September 07, 2000.

Just about any type of greens freeze well, and I have also had a lot of luck dehydrating them. I cut the stem out, because they tend to be stringy, and just crumple them into a sealable jar when they are done. They do very well in cream style dishes, and crumbled into soups and stews throughout the winter.

Happy eating,

-- Connie (Connie@lunehaven.com), September 09, 2000.

Connie, do you seal the jars or just store them in jars. I never thought to dry them and it sounds like a real good idea. Thanks Peggy

-- Peggy (wclpc@cookeville.com), September 10, 2000.