Collards – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What are collards?

Collards are a dark green leafy vegetable. They have fan-like leaves and tough stems. They belong to the cabbage family and are closely related to kale, turnips, and mustard greens. They are grown a lot in the American South and show up in a lot of Southern cooking.

Collards have an appearance similar to kale. Their leaves are about 10 to 12in long and are flat ovals. The leaves usually have a wider appearance, while the stems are thicker.

Where did collards originate from?

Americans associate collard greens with the American South and the African slave trade. However, the vegetable is actually not from Africa, but from Eurasia.

Their cultivation specifically dates back to 5000 B.C. Asia before they were dispersed throughout the world via trade routes. This brought them to Greek and Roman civilizations as well as medieval Brits. Eventually, collards made their way to American colonists in the 17th century.

Collards are a plant with thousands of years of history, including rich folklore. The folklore surrounding collard greens includes the idea that eating them with black-eyed peas and hog jowl on New Year’s Day promises good luck and financial reward for the calendar year. It is also believed that hanging a leaf over your door will ward off evil spirits, and placing a leaf on your forehead will cure a headache.

What are the benefits of eating collards?

Collard greens are nutrient-rich. Since they are dark green, they contain more chlorophyll and are generally better for you than other types of greens. They include substantial amounts of vitamins A, K, B-6, and C, as well as calcium, iron, and magnesium. They are also high in fiber.

Studies have shown that the plant can lower cholesterol, reduce cancer risk, improve bone health, and digestion. It may also help those looking to improve the appearance of their hair and improve the quality of their sleep.

While they have lots of positive benefits, it is important to consider how they are served. A common way of serving collard greens is paired with bacon fat, which will mitigate many of their positive benefits. Instead, try cooking collard greens with garlic, red pepper, and onion to maximize the health benefits.

How are collards grown?

Collards do well in beds or pots. They require full sun and fertile soil with good drainage. In some climates, they can also be grown in cold frames to provide winter harvest.

They are a unique crop that favors early planting. Their flavor comes on strong when the weather heats up. The plants will continue to thrive through the summer months and yield sweeter harvests in the fall.

When are collards in season?

Collards are considered a cold-weather crop and are typically planted in the spring and fall. Depending on the zone they are grown in, they can continue to thrive in winter. You’re most likely to find the best-tasting fresh collard greens in spring.

How do you pick collards at the grocery store?

You’ll typically find collards in the fresh produce section of your grocery store. Try looking near the kale and swiss chard.  You will want to pick out dark green leaves in color with light green veins and stems. Browning or yellowness should be avoided.

To ensure you are getting the freshest collard greens, we recommend bending them a bit so that you can make sure they are firm.

Don’t be alarmed if the leaves feel waxy, this is a natural way that the plant defends itself against insects. Likewise, if there are a few small holes in the leaves, don’t worry too much. This is just a sign of some hungry bugs.

Want collard greens delivered to you the same day? Use Instacart to browse a variety of collard green options. Add your chosen collard green to your cart, and then hit the “Instructions” tab to give your personal shopper any special notes about how to shop for collard greens. Shop collard greens.

How to store collards

It is recommended that you do not wash your collard greens before storing them. Wrap your collards in a paper towel and place them in an unsealed plastic bag before storing them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. You should use these greens within 5 to 7 days. This is a common recommendation for most leafy vegetables.

You can also store them in your freezer if you blanch them in hot water and then pack them in freezer bags. They will keep for 10 to 12 months in this state.

How to tell if collards are bad

You can tell if your collard greens are bad by the way they look and smell. If you’ve stored fresh collard greens properly, they’ll typically turn in about 5 to 7 days. If you notice an odd smell or see mold forming on your collards, it is best to discard them.

What can I substitute for collards?

If your search for “collards near me” hasn’t proved fruitful, there are several possible substitutions. Your best bet will be to substitute your collards with another leafy green. Some popular substitutions for collards are kale, spinach, swiss chard, mustard greens, and broccoli rabe.

If you have a choice of leafy greens to use, try kale, since it will be the closest match in flavor profile. If you’re not a fan of kale either, your next best bet will be some healthy spinach greens.

How can I include collard greens in my produce delivery?

Search for collards on Instacart and add your intended product to your order. Write any specific instructions for substitutions or how to pick out collard greens at the store in the instructions tab and submit your order. An Instacart shopper will pick up your items and initiate same-day delivery. Shop great-tasting collards now.

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