Collard Greens Harvest

Substance on greens Post by Ooc5477 (1) | (11/12/2007) Contact Thriftyfun, Subject: Collard greens We grow a small patch of collard greens in our back yard. They grow well. But we have discovered that at harvest time(around October), there is a fine white powdery substance on some (not all) of the leaves. It will come off, but you have to RUB it off. We generally do this while running water over the leaves, and my wife soaks them for a long time. We have other plants nearby, but the powdery substance does not seem to be on them. Question: Any idea what this white powdery substance is/is it safe to eat/why is it on them in the first place??? THANKS O.Canada, Merrillville, Indiana RE: Collard Greens Harvest Post by coreenhart (164) | (04/20/2007) Profile | Blog! | Contact Before the frost sweetens them, pick only young, small leaves. I usually buy ham hocks as soon as I can get a big batch, and simmer them all day together. Then I freeze the extra for other times. RE: Collard Greens Harvest Post by cookwie (910) | (04/19/2007) Profile | Blog! | Contact Yes, better after a frost, but I wouldn't avoid them until a frost. Just know that they can be on the strong/bitter flavor side and use less in a mixed recipe. RE: Collard Greens Harvest Post By EnSusie from Buckhead, Ga. (Guest Post) (04/18/2007) This is true. The first frost makes the collards sweeter. I sometimes buy my collards fresh and stick them in the freezer. when I'm ready to cook them I just take them out of the freezer, defrost them, wash them and cook them. This makes it easier to wash them too. The collards shrink and get limp so the dirt washes right off. This method also makes them easier to get into the pot.