Pork-Stuffed Collard Leaves

collard greens

Lovely large leaves mean collards make ideal wraps.

1 bunch collard greens
1 pound ground pork
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon red chili flakes
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup cooked brown rice or quinoa
1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
1 cup grated cheese (optional)

Stem collards and cut leaves in half lengthwise. Blanch them in boiling water for a minute, then submerge immediately in ice-cold water. Remove and let drain.

Mix the pork, salt, cumin, chili, onion, garlic, oregano, nutmeg and rice together well. Take a piece of collard leaf, put about 1/4-1/3 cup of mixture at its base and roll it up. Put seam-side down in an oiled baking pan. Do the same with remaining leaves, packing them side by side. Pour broth over the top. You can substitute tomato sauce. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F until pork is cooked through, about 35-40 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with cheese and bake 10 minutes more uncovered.