Simple, quick, and delicious Gomen (Ethiopian Collard Greens). This classic Ethiopian side dish elevates the pleasure of consuming healthy greens to new heights!

Gomen (also known as Ye’abesha Gomen) is a famous and excellent Ethiopian veggie side dish. Most Ethiopian restaurants in town serve Ye’abesha Gomen as part of their combination platter. So if you’ve ever visited there, chances are you’ve had it before.

It is a garlicky, gingery, lightly spiced collard greens dish that is simmered until they’re unbelievably tender. It may not be the first thing you scoop with your injera, but it is a delectable change of pace from the berbere-heavy wats!

This recipe is traditionally prepared with a spiced clarified butter called niter kibbeh. Which is made the same way as Indian ghee, by heating the butter and separating the butterfat from the milk solids. Infused with aromatic herbs and spices, niter kibbeh produces a tasty and aromatic clarified butter. Niter kibbeh is a staple of Ethiopian cuisine, particularly Gomen.

This vegan version uses the same spices, so you can use vegetable oil (I’ve used avocado oil) instead of niter kibbeh and still get the same flavorful results.

Other leafy vegetable greens you will enjoy, Callaloo, Southern-Style Mixed Greens, Steamed Chaya Spinach Tree

Why prepare an Ethiopian dish on Thanksgiving?

To some extent, it meets many Thanksgiving standards—it’s a healthy vegetable made unhealthy by a profuse amount of butter, and it can be snarfed down with little chewing. However, adding garlic, ginger, and flavorful North African spices elevates it to a higher level, much more fascinating than the typical roasted asparagus. Besides that, it’s a light dish that goes well with Thanksgiving roast turkey and mashed potatoes.

Are Collard Greens Healthy?

If you’re more concerned with the nutritional content, you’ll be happy to know that collard greens are incredibly nutrient-dense with a low-calorie content. Calcium, folate, and the vitamins K, C, and A, are all abundant in them. Their high fiber and antioxidant content is just one more reason to eat them!

Health Benefits of Collard Greens

Adding collard greens into your diet appears to provide many health benefits, including:

May Lower Cholesterol Level

Studies have shown Collard greens to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. In addition, due to their high fiber content, Collards have a favorable effect on cholesterol and blood pressure, hence improving overall heart health.

May Improve Bone Health

Collards are high in vitamin K, which a study shows may help prevent osteoporosis and bone fractures. A single cup of cooked collard greens has 770 mcg of this essential vitamin, far above the recommended daily amount of 90 micrograms for women and 120 micrograms for men.

May Reduce Cancer Risk

According to research, the sulfur-rich chemicals known as glucosinolates found in cruciferous vegetables help lessen cancer risk. These substances, according to scientists, delay or prevent cancerous cells at various growth stages. According to research involving nearly 3,000 adults, cruciferous vegetables help decrease the risk of breast cancer. However, it shows that preserving the glucosinolates is necessary to enhance the good effects of the greens, which implies that specific cooking techniques (such as steaming) are preferable.

Good for Digestive Health

Another benefit of collards’ fibrous nature is that they help digestion. After all, fiber is frequently advised for avoiding or alleviating constipation and promoting regularity. Considering collard greens’ high fiber and water content, it’s unsurprising that this veggie is often suggested for individuals who have issues going.

May Benefit the Liver’s Health

Collards are a good source of fiber, which keeps us fuller longer and makes digestion easier. Fiber intake has also been linked to a lower risk of heart attack and diabetes. In addition, fiber is linked to lower inflammation and glucose levels in people with type 1 diabetes and maintaining healthy lipid and insulin levels in type 2 diabetes patients.

May Enhance Your Aesthetics

Collard greens are high in vitamin A, so consume them if you want shinier, healthier hair. Vitamin A is linked to the formation of sebum in your body, which helps to improve the health of your immune system, eyes, skin, and hair.

Collards are also high in vitamin C, which is necessary for collagen production (beneficial to your hair, skin, and nails). And if that isn’t enough, collards contain iron, which is critical for preventing anemia and hair loss.

May Better Your Sleep and Mood

Collard greens are high in choline, a key neurotransmitter. Choline aids in the regulation of mood, sleep, muscle activity, learning, and memory.

Folate, which is also included in choline, may aid with depression by preventing the body from producing too much homocysteine. Homocysteine levels were observed to be higher in patients with bipolar illness and depression associated with alcohol use disorder.

“So, Add collard greens into your diet to reap all these health benefits. And, for a delicious way to eat these healthy greens, go nowhere.

Try this Ethiopian Collard Greens recipe! “

How to Prepare Ethiopian Collard Greens?

Ethiopian Collard Greens is a very easy and quick recipe to prepare, especially if you have everything you need in your pantry.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1 teaspoon salt
5 Tomatoes, chopped
1 pound collard greens, stem removed and finely chopped

Directions

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes.

Stir in garlic, ginger, turmeric, paprika, cardamom, and salt. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and cook for another minute, stirring periodically.

Add collard greens and constantly stir until the greens have wilted. Cover the saucepan, reduce heat to simmer for about 10 minutes.

Recipe Notes

I like collard greens for Ethiopian greens, but you may use any greens you want. Beet greens, spinach, kale, and chard all are great options.
To achieve restaurant-style results, chop the greens as finely as possible.

If you like and try this Ethiopian Collard Greens recipe, leave a comment to let me know how you enjoyed it. I’d appreciate your feedback!

Other Vegetable Recipes To Prepare

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