SOUTHERN MUSTARD GREENS

Southern Mustard Greens image

I remember helping my first and last husband,s mothers and grandma also, wash mustard greens outside in great big wash tubs.That covers from 16 to 45 years of my ageing timeline.So I should just about be able to help anybody,cook these the southern way.Also it is fall time and the memories of three beautiful great and totally loving mother-in-law,s and Granny Brown- abound for me at this time of the year.

Provided by Connie Brannen @ladybug41

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

1 bunch(es) mustard greens
3 tablespoon(s) bacon grease
2 tablespoon(s) salt and pepper
1 bottle(s) hot peppers
SOUTERN STYLE MUSTARD GREENS

Steps:

Old fashioned way to clean mustard or any other type of greens is to get out in the yard with a water hose and 2 huge silver wash tubs on an outside strong table-to hold all the weight of the water.
Stand in the sun if possible because when green season comes in the fall and in spring time.It usually pretty nippy and breezy.Fill up both tubs with the water hose--after you have washed and cleaned the tubs well.
Use your hands and tear out all ribs of mustard greens and put in a mulch pile or feed to chickens if you have some.Just push up and down with a handful of greens in each hand to get sand out of them--in the first tub--then toss into the second tub and do the same.Put into container while you empty-rinse and re-fill both tubs--repeat green washing routine--again wash rinse re-fill tubs again.Six tubs of rinsing to remove every grain of sand from the whole bunch of greens.STOP NOW.
Bet your pretty whipped by now.Hard parts done though.This is the old timey ways so it does not get forgotten(I HOPE).Take greens into the house and get out your biggest pot-put on stove--fill only half-way with water.You are only going to wilt down the greens(shrink)so they will fit into your cast iron frying pan.
Into large cast iron frying pan,fry some bacon or just use three TBSP of bacon grease(southern flavoring ritual) and put in the wilted greens bring up to high heat to get it going and then put a lid on it and lower heat to med-low and cook for one hour stirring lifting greens from time to time.
Can use hot peppers on your plate. Also cornbread(a little sugar in mine)Is the only thing else required to have a wonderful meal of just cornbread and greens.
Now gotta go and get me some mustard greens as I,m really craving them so badly,right now.Hope you enjoy and this is a whole lot of work but well worth the effort.