Collards A La Italiana
Collards A La Italiana offers a vibrant blend of tender collard greens infused with ripe tomatoes, aromatic onion, and seasoned with marjoram and Romano cheese. Rich and savory, it makes a delightful side dish suitable for family dinners or special occasions craving hearty, flavorful greens.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and add the sliced onion.
- Cook until the onion is soft.
- Add chopped, peeled tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
- Season with salt, pepper, and dried marjoram.
- Add the collard greens to the skillet.
- Simmer, covered, over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add juice of tomatoes or water to keep the greens moist if needed.
- Sprinkle with Romano cheese and serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider sautéing minced garlic with the onion. If collard greens aren't available, kale or Swiss chard can be used as substitutes. To enhance the dish further, you could incorporate red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. This recipe is versatile, allowing you to mix in other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Collards A La Italiana alongside grilled meats or as a hearty side to Italian recipes like Souperior Italian Meat Loaf. They also pair well with crusty bread or over a bed of pasta for a complete meal. For a vegetarian option, enjoy them with a side of Vegetarian Lasagne.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover collards can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm them in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. You can also microwave them, covering the dish to retain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Collards A La Italiana contains roughly 113 calories, with 7g protein, 11g carbohydrates, and 6g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (70% of the Daily Value), calcium (36% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (22% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1990mg per serving (87% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen collard greens for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen collard greens. Just make sure to thaw and drain any excess water before adding them to the skillet. The cooking time may be slightly reduced since frozen greens are pre-cooked.
What can I substitute for Romano cheese?
If you don't have Romano cheese, Parmesan or Pecorino can be excellent substitutes. Both will provide a similar salty flavor, though Pecorino is a bit sharper. Nutritional yeast is a great dairy-free option if you're looking for a vegan alternative.
How can I make this dish vegan?
To make Collards A La Italiana vegan, simply omit the Romano cheese or substitute it with a vegan cheese alternative. You can enhance the umami flavor by adding a splash of soy sauce or nutritional yeast to the dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).