From my favorite Herb shop here in Phoenix, Chakra4. If anyone has a good recipe for cooking them also, I'd love it!
http://chakra4vegetarianrestaurant.com/healthy-restaurant-phoenix/magnificent-collard-green
Collard greens are one of what I consider the “power vegetables.” Of course all vegetables are good for us, but have you ever thought about what for?
Collard greens can help us in more ways than one.
As a member of the family of vegetables known as “cruciferous”, collard greens stimulate fat metabolism. In fact, the more collard greens one eats in the context of a generally healthy lifestyle, the more fat they will burn.
Collard greens are loaded with fiber which helps to keep the digestive tract clean and functioning properly. Fiber also has the added benefit of increasing TEF, ie. thermic effect of feeding. It is this effect that helps us to burn more fat.
This vegetable is rich in several vital nutrients including Vitamins A, C, K, and Calcium. Additional nutrients include Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Iron, and Zinc.
The Vitamin C and lutein present in collard greens are very powerful anti-oxidants. They also help to support the production of collagen which helps maintain skin elasticity and a youthful look.
Collard greens are also noted to help increase blood flow, particularly to the eyes and brain. Over time, blood vessels can degrade, get clogged, or collapse. Collard greens go a long way toward keeping our circulatory system in top repair.
Collard greens are also rather hefty. So they make a great replacement for tortillas when eating wraps. Many of our customers regularly make this substitution.
Here is how to use collard greens as a wrap.
•First, remove the center rib of leaf to cut the leaf in half
•Lay leaf flat on a plate or cutting board and rub lemon juice & olive oil into the leaf
•Add fresh garlic for “Collards Italiano”
•Do both sides of the leaf until the green color deepens & leaf is more flexible (almost like collard “leather”)
•Use the leaves for wrapping your favorite fillings
Bonus Tip: If you prepare a bunch of collard leaves this way, they store up to a week in the fridge!