Written by Barbara Pleasant – September 26, 2019
Autumn brings an abundance of fresh, leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, collards, chard, and mustard greens. With harvest baskets often overflowing, it can feel like a challenge to use them up. Greens are packed with more nutrients than any other garden crop, so it’s worth getting creative in the kitchen. Here are five delicious and easy ways to enjoy more greens, making them both nutritious and exciting.
1. Green Crusts for Casseroles
One of the easiest ways to incorporate more greens into your meals is by using them as a crust for casseroles. By lining your baking dish with fresh greens, you add a burst of vitamins to your dish. Simply oil the dish to prevent sticking, then layer in greens like arugula, beet greens, or spinach. Top with your casserole filling, whether it’s baked pasta, scalloped potatoes, or even quiche. Greens like kale, collard, or chard work well here too; you can trim the stems to help them lay flat. This technique also works beautifully for baked polenta, where the combination of green and gold layers is both visually appealing and tasty.
2. Creamed Greens
Transform simple steamed greens into something luxurious by adding cream or melted cream cheese. This method works especially well with chard, kale, and spinach, which all take on a rich, creamy texture. You can elevate the flavor with freshly chopped garlic or a crunchy topping of croutons or French fried onions. For mustard greens, which tend to be a bit bitter, blanch them briefly in boiling water to mellow their flavor before incorporating them into creamy dishes.
3. Saag and Other Sauces
For a bold flavor, try making a vibrant green sauce, inspired by Indian cuisine. While traditional saag is made with spinach, you can substitute chard, beet greens, or turnip greens. To make saag, sauté chopped greens in butter for about 5 minutes until soft. Push the greens to the sides of the pan and add chopped garlic, ginger, and spices such as cumin, turmeric, coriander, and salt. After another 5 minutes of cooking, blend everything together into a smooth sauce. Serve with paneer cheese, potatoes, or rice. Alternatively, create a simple mustard green sauce by pureeing cooked mustard greens with olive oil and Dijon mustard—this makes a fantastic dip for bread or pretzels.
4. Spicy Condiments
Greens also make for flavorful condiments when combined with oils, vinegars, and spices. Sautéed or cooked greens tossed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar (or sesame oil and lemon juice) create a delicious base for a variety of condiments. You can elevate these with dried fruits like raisins, add heat with hot peppers, or mix in caramelized onions for sweetness. Garlic, ginger, and green onions add depth, while olives, capers, or pickled peppers can introduce a tangy kick. Experiment to create your perfect green-based condiment that pairs well with meats, breads, or even as a topping for rice.
5. Immunity Soups
As soup season approaches, greens are a wonderful addition to elevate both the flavor and nutritional content of soups and stews. One of my favorite ways to keep greens on hand for soups is by freezing them in muffin pans. This allows for easy portioning when you’re preparing soups like “Immunity Soup,” which combines frozen greens with other garden ingredients such as dried tomatoes and frozen peppers. The result is a hearty, health-boosting soup that’s easy to prepare and full of flavor.
With these five creative ideas, you can easily incorporate more greens into your diet and enjoy their health benefits throughout the season. Whether you’re making casseroles, sauces, or soups, greens are versatile and delicious—plus, they’ll help you stay nourished and energized.