In Greek: χόρτα βραστά, pronounced HOR-tah vrahs-TAH
In Greece we use spinach, greens from vegetables like beets, as well as greens others might consider weeds, such as dandelion greens and nettles. Whatever dark leafy greens you prefer, this salad is a delight. In rural Greece, we often go out to pick horta, the edible greens that flourish here, and in my home, we eat horta with at least one meal a day.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds of spinach or your choice of dark leafy greens:
- - dandelion greens
- - mustard greens
- - beet greens
- - endive
- - nettles
- - chicory
- - palmer amaranth (Greek vlita)
- - wild spinach
- - broccoli rabe (raab, rapini)
- ------------
- sea salt
- freshly ground pepper
- extra virgin olive oil
- 2 lemons
Preparation:
Wash the greens carefully, discarding thick stems and damaged leaves. In a large pot, bring 1-2 inches of salted water to a boil, and add the greens. Boil for 4-15 minutes until softened and dark green, tasting to check for doneness (time depends on the greens used). Remove with tongs, squeezing out the water and drain in a colander.
Greens are served warm or at room temperature. Place on individual salad plates, add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice to taste.
Yield: serves 4
Preparation note: When cooking leafy greens, use a minimum of water because the leaves retain liquid which will be released during cooking.
Serving note:
If preferred, mix a latholemono sauce (oil and lemon sauce) with 6 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and toss with the greens.
Alternative cooking methods:
- I prefer my pressure cooker. Put 1-2 inches of salted water in the pressure cooker and bring to a boil. Add the greens, close, and as soon as pressure starts to build, they're done. Don't wait for the pressure cooker to cool down or the greens will overcook. Run it under cold water and open as quickly as possible. Drain the greens and serve as above.
- Dark leafy greens can also be steamed, sautéed, or braised, depending on how sweet or tender they are.