Re: [gardeners] Re: Potatoes/spinach

Allen and Judy Merten (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Tue, 27 Oct 1998 20:51:52 -0600 

Hi Penny,
    Collards taste like collards. They are very mild when picked young. I pick the inner leaves and let the outer leaves get huge. They produce enough energy to keep the plant making new tender leaves. Periodically I cut off the old outer leaves and let the next set of leaves above them to become the outer leaves. Sometimes the
older original leaves get ratty looking, that's why I replace them. Actually the taste of collards is similar to the leaves of Broccoli in flavor. I like raw Broccoli leaves in a salad. Sometimes I cook the leaves. When you fix Collard Greens, use as little water as possible. I actually steam them until almost done and then put the
leaves in the pot liquor for a few minutes, then drain them and serve. Goes great with ham or pork chops and cornbread with butter and honey or gravy. Killer stuff. If you eat and enjoy this we'll have to make you an Honorary Southron Lady, Order of the Steel Magnolia.
    The thing about eating Greens is that they are so good for you from the vitamins to the cancer risk reducing factor for colon and below. Most greens are said to be an aquired taste. I aquired mine at Great-Grandmas, Grandmas, and Moms tables.
    I always look forward to the Fall Garden with all the Cole family, Collards, Mustard, Cabbage, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Kohl Rabi, Turnips, umm umm. I'm a country boy to the bone.
    Allen
    Bastrop Co.,Tx
    Zone 8

Penny Nielsen wrote:

> Hi Allen
>
> Looked up in a couple of the catalogues for New Zealand Spinach.  From its botanical name I now know I've never tried it.
>
> I've never tried collards, but saw them being cooked on a TV show last week and was wondering what they tasted like.  Care to take a stab at describing the taste.  Am considering ordering some seed for next year, if indeed its a green I can grow here.
>
> Sorry to hear about your garden.  We northerners complain about our long winters, but we don't have to contend with the extremes in weather that those in your climes and the tropics have to.  And now they are predicting this latest storm to be the worst of the season thus far.  Sure hope they're wrong.
>
> Good luck with your plowing and next year's garden.
>
> Penny Nielsen
> Halifax, Nova Scotia
> Zone 5/6a
> nielsenp@gov.ns.ca
>
> >>> Allen and Judy Merten <jbmerten@swbell.net> 10/27 9:57 AM >>>
> Hi Penny,
>     I, too knew the difference but forgot at the time. My favorite greens of all is Collards, followed by Mustard. I like most any greens, but have not tried Swiss Chard or the New Zealand Spinach. But I will very soon.
>     My fall garden is just about a flop after 14 inches of rain in October. Got one picking of green beans, and 2 yellow squash before the plants drowned. It wasn't standing water that got them, just soil saturation, and this is sandy land!! As soon as things dry out a little, I am going to plow it all up.
>     Some weather down in Texas this year. First the worst drought in 50 yrs and in October, record 100 year floods. This is the wettest October on record. In the future if someone just looks at the annual rainfall totals for 1998 they will not think there was a drought this year. We are actually a few inches ahead for the year.
>
>     Allen
>     Bastrop Co.,Tx
>     Zone 8