Memaw's Collard Greens

Total Time: 4 hrs 20 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 3 bunches fresh collard greens
• 1/2 lb smoked bacon
• 1/3-1/2 cup sugar
• salt
• water

Recipe

• 1 thoroughly wash greens in a sinkful of cold water.
• 2 break stems off an inch or two below leaf and discard.
• 3 tear/shred the leaves by hand and place them in a large cooking pot.
• 4 add bacon, 1/4 cup of sugar, and about 2 tablespoons of salt.
• 5 fill pot with water up to about 1 1/2 inches from top of pot.
• 6 bring to a boil, then reduce heat, and simmer for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally (water will cook off, so add more if necessary).
• 7 after 2 hours, add more sugar (not more than 1/4 cup; i usually add slightly less) and more salt to taste.
• 8 fill the pot back to about half-full with water.
• 9 cover, boil, reduce heat, simmer, and stir occasionally for another 1 1/2-2 hours (if more water is needed, add only enough to keep about three fingers worth in the pot).
• 10 serve with a slotted spoon to drain away water and eat'em up (some folks eat'em with tabasco or pepper sauce).
• 11 these are great as a side dish with fried chicken, country ham, meatloaf, turkey, roast, or as a companion to a big bowl of beans.
• 12 i usually enjoy the leftovers with nothing but a pan of cornbread.