A video featuring a well-intentioned but seemingly misguided attempt at cooking collard greens by a white woman has taken social media by storm.
The footage, now viral on TikTok, has triggered a cascade of rib-cracking comments and reactions from the Black community.
The video showcases the woman cramming an enormous bundle of collard greens into a comically undersized cooking pot, bypassing crucial steps such as washing, soaking, or even bothering to cut them into manageable pieces.
As the greens steam away, the woman (let’s call her ‘Vegetable Van Gogh) confidently assures the person filming that she knows exactly what she’s doing.
However, the pinnacle of culinary confusion comes when the woman liberally showers the collards with sugar, leaving viewers in disbelief and social media ablaze with laughter.
TikTok users were quick to chime in with their amusing takes on the “kitchen calamity”.
“Look how she be washing those greens… she didn’t wash them, she just ripped them off at the bottom… Lord have mercy,” reacted a grandma who has cooked collards at least a million times in her life.
“Your supposed to braise it for a long time and cut that sh*t up put some ham hocks or smoked turkey leg or something in there,” commented another person.
Collard greens, deeply rooted in African American culinary tradition, have a rich history dating back to prehistoric times.
Originally from near Greece, they became an essential part of American cuisine when enslaved African-Americans started cultivating them in the early 1600s.
Collard Greens are considered a soul-food staple among Blacks.
Amidst the hilarity, one user remarked:
“Collard greens have been through a lot, but this is a whole new level of drama!”
Social media has once again proven its knack for turning everyday moments into online phenomena.
For those looking to enjoy collard greens without the comedic twists, a Finger Lakes Wine-Braised Collard Greens recipe has been shared, ensuring a delicious and culturally respectful way to savor this historic dish.
Whether sugar is a secret ingredient or not is entirely up to personal taste, but one thing’s for sure – the laughter is guaranteed.
How to prepare “Finger Lakes Wine-Braised Collard Greens”
- 2 large bunches fresh collard greens (or one 16 oz. bag)
- 4 slices bacon, cut in 1” pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ teaspoons paprika Pinch red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup aromatic white Finger Lakes wine -Riesling or Gewürztraminer
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
If using fresh collard greens, remove tough stems and center veins. Chop greens into ½” inch pieces,or chiffonade the greens: evenly stack 7-8 collard leaves, tightly roll the leaves,then slice, perpendicular, into thin ribbons.
Wash bagged collard greens thoroughly, drain, and chop into ½”pieces. Heat bacon in a large skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat and add oil, onion, garlic, paprika,red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
Add more oil if necessary. Sauté until onions are soft, fragrant, translucent,and just beginning to brown, 5 to 7 minutes.
Add collard greens, stirring constantly until soft and leaves are well-coated, about 5 minutes.
Add broth and Finger Lakes wine and bring to a slow boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until greens are tender, 20-30 minutes.
Once greens are tender, add vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste.
