Southern Swamp Soup

As far as I’m concerned, it’s always soup season, but I especially love making soup when there’s a crisp chill in the air. This particular soup is extremely hearty and stands on its own, but serving a hunk of crusty bread on the side wouldn’t be frowned upon in my house.

Items used to make this recipe:

• canned collard greens https://amzn.to/4cQezCo (I like Margaret Holmes or Glory brands)

• Hoppin’ John https://amzn.to/40zzG4C

• Seasoned Blackeye Peas https://amzn.to/3PfXCrg

• Ro-tel tomatoes https://amzn.to/3NwDSiC

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Southern Swamp Soup

makes 8-10 servings

Printable Recipe

ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

• 1 - 1 1/2 pounds Kielbasa, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

• 1 large onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 jalapenos, seeded and minced

• 4 medium red, white, or gold potatoes, peeled and diced (not russet or Idaho potatoes)

• 28-ounce can seasoned collard greens, undrained

• 15-ounce can navy beans, rinsed and drained

• 14-ounce can Hoppin’ John or seasoned blackeye peas, undrained

• 10-ounce can Ro-Tel tomatoes, undrained

• 2 cups reduced sodium chicken stock (or try my delicious homemade stock)

• 12-ounces okra, cut into coins (fresh or frozen)

Directions

1. In a 6-quart stockpot over medium-high heat, saute the Kielbasa in the olive oil for several minutes, stirring frequently, until the kielbasa develops some wonderfully brown edges.

2. Add the onions, garlic, and jalapeños to the pot and cook for several more minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent and the brown bits that were stuck to the bottom of the pot have loosened.

3. Add all of the remaining ingredients and stir well to combine - there should be enough liquid to cover all the ingredients; if not, add a bit more water or chicken stock.

4. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Notes

• The smoked sausage and canned goods provide enough salt in this recipe that you shouldn’t have to add any additional salt before serving.

• Be sure to use a waxy variety of potato that will hold its shape during the cooking process — avoid starchy varieties like Russet or Idaho potatoes, which will fall apart.

• You can substitute any cooked, smoked sausage for the kielbasa.

• If you can’t find canned collard greens, other canned greens may be substituted. I’ve tried several, but like collard greens the best.

• Here in the south, you can purchase frozen okra at the grocery store, but you can also freeze them yourself during the summer months when you find them at the farmer’s market. Purchase whole okra that are no more than 4 or 5 inches in length. Wash, trim, and cut them into coins; then freeze in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan (no need to blanch first). Transfer the frozen coins to vacuum sealed bags and stash them away in your freezer for use in soups and stews throughout the year.

adapted from allrecipes.com

Braised Collard Greens

Collard Greens, a southern staple, are a hearty leafy green vegetable high in calcium, potassium, magnesium, folate, and vitamins A, C, E, and K. Traditionally, collards are cooked with smoked ham hocks or smoked turkey legs; ingredients which might be difficult for those outside of the southern region to find. This modern recipe calls for bacon, which is available to everyone.

The way I cook collards is similar to the way I cook kale or swiss chard, only collard greens have a much tougher texture that benefits from a longer, slower cooking time. Also, the stems don’t really soften during the cooking process so you may want to consider pickling them.

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Braised Collard Greens

makes 2-4 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 bunch collar greens (about 6 large stems, 12-14 inches in length), washed

• 1/2 cup chicken stock (try my homemade)

• 2 sliced bacon, sliced

• 1/4 cup chopped onion

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1-2 teaspoons red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Wash collard greens well and remove stems (save to make pickles); chop collard leaves into 2x2-inch pieces and set aside until needed.

2. Starting with a cold, 3.5 quart or larger heavy-bottomed dutch oven (here’s the one I used), sauté bacon over medium heat until brown and crispy; remove bacon from dutch oven and set aside.

3. In the remaining bacon drippings, sauté onions until they start to caramelize, then add the minced garlic (and optional crushed red pepper flakes) and sauté, stirring continuously, for 30-60 seconds until the garlic is fragrant; add chicken stock and scrape bottom of dutch oven to dissolve browned bits from pan.

4. Add chopped collards to dutch oven and stir well; cover and lower heat to simmer for 40-50 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Add a splash of water at any time if the pot liquor evaporates and leaves the dutch oven dry.

5. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar and reserved bacon; taste and add additional red wine vinegar and salt and pepper if needed.