Collard Greens

Ingredients

1 smoked ham hock (neckbone) 4c water 2 lbs collards 1 tbsp salt 3 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes 1 tbsp sugar 1/4c bacon drippings (Hot sauce for extra zip) 1 cap-full of white vinegar

Directions

1) Put ham hock into a 5 qt. pot with water; bring to a boil then reduce to simmer. 2) Cover the pot and simmer about 45 minutes. Skim the foam from the broth once or twice during this time. 3) Cut away very thick stem parts of greens, WASH THEM THOROUGHLY! Drain by shaking; chop into small pieces. 4) Stir greens into pot; add salt, red pepper, sugar and drizzle all with bacon drippings. 5) Cook, covered, about 20-30 minutes until greens are tender. 6) Turn off the heat, check seasonings. Add your cap-full of vinegar and stir. Cover pot and let greens rest a few minutes before serving.