Collards are a member of the Cruciferous family of vegetables and are believed to be among the oldest members of the cabbage family to be cultivated.

Long popular as a "Southern" food (and one of the most healthy!), collards are easy to prepare and accompany almost any dish - ranging from seafood to steak.

A good source of vitamin C, beta-carotene and folate, these greens also provide cancer-fighting phytonutrients including glucosinolates and indoles.

Choose smaller-leaved plants for tenderness and mild flavor and look for a leaves that are green, moist, crisp, and unblemished. Wrap unwashed collard greens in damp paper towels, place in a plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator crisper for three to five days.