Lunch: Collard Green Gratin

Recipe by Joseph Lenn In place of collards, you can make this with the same amount of curly or Tuscan kale.

Ingredients

4 ounces very thinly sliced country ham or prosciutto
1 cup coarse fresh breadcrumbs
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 cup finely grated Parmesan, divided
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
2 bunches collard greens (about 1 pound), center ribs and stems removed
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 °F. Place ham on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until crisp, 20 –25 minutes; let cool and break into pieces.
Combine breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet; toast over medium heat, tossing occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, 10 –15 minutes. Remove from heat and add thyme and 1/4 cup Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Mix in ham and set aside.
Cook collard greens in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender and bright green, about 4 minutes. Drain, transfer to a bowl of ice water, and let cool. Drain and squeeze dry with paper towels. Coarsely chop greens and place in a large bowl.
Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until softened and golden, 15 –20 minutes. Transfer to bowl with greens; set aside. Reserve saucepan.
Increase oven temperature to 400 °F. Melt butter in reserved saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is smooth and very pale brown, about 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk, 1/2-cupful at a time; add nutmeg. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, whisking often, until thickened, 5 –8 minutes. Whisk in remaining 3/4 cup Parmesan. Add béchamel to collard greens mixture and mix to combine; season with salt and pepper.
Transfer collard greens mixture to a 10" cast-iron skillet or 9" pie dish and top with breadcrumb mixture; place pie dish on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until gratin is bubbling, 15 –20 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.
DO AHEAD: Ham and breadcrumb mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.