Smoky Collards for a Crowd

I saw a blue sky as the sun came up this morning.  We haven't seen one of these in a while.

I have a big surprise for the guys at the shelter tomorrow.  I made them tons of collards, potato salad, baked beans and more cornbread.  I think I could feed them southern food every day.  It is their favorite.

I fried bacon to start the recipe.

The added lots of diced onions, S&P, red pepper flakes and granulated garlic.

I cleaned and cut up 6 bundles of collards, put them in a big pot and added 3 large ham hocks. Then added several bay leaves.

I also added some debrezner sausage because it has such a great smokey flavor. Next, add enough chicken stock to almost cover the greens.

After about 4 hours, I shredded the meat and added it back to the pot then added about 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1 cup of apple cider vinegar.

The bacon can be diced and then sprinkled over the top of the greens.  This made about 15 quarts.

Teddy was happy to see that her "spot" was dry this morning.

She was so happy she decided to take a little nap while she sat there and smelled the bacon cooking!

Comments

Jennifer said…
Those look delicious! Please let us know how everyone liked the collards. I've never been good at cooking them, even though I grew up down South. I will try your recipe! :)
Collards and cornbread are a favorite of mine. I can almost smell the cooking.
Anonymous said…
Teddy looks very pleased with the dry ground, I have been trying to think of how I should word this but I think that its just wonderful that you are taking as much care and pride for the meals you prepare for your shelter friends as you would for family, such an admirable trait when in these times shelters are looking for cheap food to stretch the always to short funds. you are the cooking goddess, spreading your good will across the land,,have a great Sunday,
I'm with Teddy. Nothing is nicer than waking up to the smell of bacon.
brokenteepee said…
I am not big on greens. I suspect the hubby would like them though...
Anonymous said…
This is something I've never heard of. Collard isn't my favorite but it is edible :-)

Teddy must be the only dog in the world that can take a nap when bacon is fried :-) :-) :-)

Have a great day!
Christer.
Margaret said…
I have loved all these recipes you have been making for the shelter. They remind of the good, wholesome meals my Mom tells me her Mom (my Grandma) made during the depression. My Grandma did everything you could think of with beans, greens, tomatoes, rice and bread! These were meals that "built" people, in my opinion. My Grandpa was an ice/coal man so he walked miles delivering his ice and coal! I still make some of my Grandma's recipes. I think that is why that generation of people were of good stock! They had good, wholesome FOOD! Maggie
Nellie said…
Another wonderful, warm meal! Delicious!
Robin Larkspur said…
I can imagine the smiles on the faces as the shelter people chow down on your good down-home southern cooking.
I am shocked that Teddy would nap when bacon is in the vicinity!
Dog Trot Farm said…
Good evening Joyce, what a wonderful meal on such a cold winter's day. I have to come clean, the only collard greens served here at Dog Trot are to my chickens. Once a week I head to Walmart for collards and kale, my girls love it. BTW, who washes all those pots and pans? Greetings from Maine, Julie.
luckybunny said…
Well first of all thank the heavens above Teddy's spot was dry this morning - as it should be! And secondly, love the greens. Can't not love em with that bacon in there :)
Well..I would have sat on an ice cold porch for a meal like that! We don't have the collards often enough but they are sooo good. Lucky guys at that shelter. :) Makes me smile..
Ina in Alaska said…
Teddy looks like she has it made! A warm & dry spot, snow nearby & the tantalizing aroma of bacon!!

That food looks amazing! Lucky eaters!!!
A dry patio... A nap.... While smelling bacon cooking...

Doggie-Heaven! :-)