The Magic of Mustard (Greens)!

My brother brings me a lot of vegetables from his garden.  He grows far more than he can use and knows that I like nothing better than fresh vegetables!  His winter garden is still producing even though the weather says it is springtime here on the Coast. He is quite the amazing gardener!  About every three days, he brings me a large bag of Curly Leaf Mustard greens.  Oooh!  There is nothing better than a steaming hot serving of greens!  And..there is nothing much that could be better for you!  I have always been partial to these particular greens over the collards and turnips.  I suppose this goes back to when I was growing up on the farm and had to pick greens.  I thought the Curly Leaf Mustards were just much prettier!  We used to have to get up in the morning (before school) and head to the fields to pick greens of all kinds.  These were tied into bundles and Dad would deliver them to stores while we were in class.  Since greens are usually grown as a winter crop this far south, I can remember my feet and hands would be so cold on some mornings.  Being the youngest had its perks, though!  Since my hands were too small to hold the large bundles, I was the designated "Tier".  I tied the bunches of greens that my siblings picked.  Even this made for sore hands as the jute cording would rub my hands raw!

With the sink full of the crinkly greens, I began to ponder just how good these things are for the body!  There are so many positive things to be said about eating greens several times a week but mustard greens have quite a lengthy list of benefits!

These greens have been touted to:

*Strengthen the immune system
*Reduce cancer risks
*Slow aging
*Protect against dementia
*Help regulate blood sugar
*Help alleviate cardiovascular disease
*Help prevent heart disease
*Help prevent colon cancer
*Help protect against osteoporosis
*Help protect against stroke
*Help maintain a healthy weight
*Promote eye health
*Promote a healthy digestive system

When you read this list, how can you not want a big, heaping plate of mustard greens for supper?  Not to mention, their wonderfully tangy flavor!  Unlike the pungent odor that other greens emit when cooking, the mustard greens have a lighter and fresher aroma.  Eaten raw, the greens are quite tangy..almost "hot" but when cooked this tang mellows.  One thing that I have found is to not "overcook" the greens.  It seems to be the common idea that greens must be dumped in a pot with all sorts of ham hocks or salt pork and cooked half the day.  I say with fervor..."NO!!"  Do not overcook them and definitely do not add a bunch of unhealthy fat to the greens!  There is no need to do this!  Mustard greens when gathered fresh can stand on their own as a delightful side dish to any meal!  A light salting and a tad of butter is all you need to have the prefect addition to your meal!  So, do not undermine their health benefits by adding a bunch of processed meats to them!  Do yourself a huge favor and start eating greens several times a week!  Your body will love you!