Side Dish

Horta (Boiled Greens)

Name: Horta (Boiled Greens)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: greek
Ingredients: 1,000 g mixed greens such as dandelion, mustard, collard, or spinach; 3 l water; 1 tsp sea salt; 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1 pcs lemon juiced; 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground (optional)

Horta is a traditional Greek dish of wild or cultivated greens, simply boiled and dressed with olive oil and lemon. It's a healthy, refreshing side dish that highlights the natural flavors of fresh greens. This recipe is a staple in Greek cuisine, offering a taste of the Mediterranean.

An original recipe by Forkin

Total time: 25 min
Serves: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Per serving: 181 kcal

Mise en place

Ingredients

1,000 gmixed greens, such as dandelion, mustard, collard, or spinach
3 lwater
1 tspsea salt

dressing

4 tbspextra virgin olive oil
1 pcslemon, juiced
0.25 tspblack pepper, freshly ground(optional)

Equipment

tongs · large pot · colander · serving platter

The method

Step by step

1
Thoroughly wash the mixed greens under cold running water, removing any tough stems or discolored leaves.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Multiple rinses may be needed to remove all dirt, especially with wild greens.
2
Bring the water to a rolling boil in a large pot and add the sea salt.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Ensure the pot is large enough to comfortably hold all the greens.
3
Carefully add the washed greens to the boiling water, pushing them down with tongs if necessary to submerge.
About 1 min
4
Boil the greens for 5-7 minutes, or until they are tender but still have a slight bite.
About 7 min
Cook’s note: Cooking time will vary depending on the type of greens; tougher greens like collards will take longer than spinach.
5
Using tongs or a slotted spoon, remove the cooked greens from the pot and transfer them to a colander to drain excess water.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Do not squeeze the greens too hard, as this can remove too much moisture and flavor.
6
Arrange the drained greens on a serving platter.
About 1 min
7
Drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice.
Cook’s note: The quality of the olive oil really shines through in this simple dish.
8
Season with freshly ground black pepper, if using, and serve warm or at room temperature.

Per serving

Nutrition

76%Score

Calories: 181.2kcal
Protein: 3.6g
Carbs: 11.4g
Fat: 14.1g
Fibre: 4.4g
Sugar: 3.2g

Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.

Keep it good

Storage

Store leftover horta in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reheating

Horta is best served fresh or at room temperature; reheating is not recommended as it can make the greens mushy.