Dinner: Braised Turnip Greens with Turnips and Apples

Recipe by Andrea Albin Spicy, sharp turnip greens, braised gently with a smoked ham hock, are a time-honored accompaniment on southern tables at any time of the year. Add in the turnips, plus lots of apple, and the dish tastes lighter and more delicate.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Apples

Health benefits of Braised Turnip Greens with Turnips and Apples

Apples will improve your body's sensitivity to insulin (Reference: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/27/1/281.full)

Ingredients

2 pounds turnip greens or other braising greens (see cooks' note, below), tough stems discarded and greens torn into small pieces
1 (3/4-to 1-pound) ham hock, rinsed
3 1/2 cups water
3 Gala apples
1 1/4 pounds turnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Instructions

Bring greens, ham hock, water, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a large heavy pot. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until greens are almost tender, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, peel apples and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
Add turnips and apples to greens with vinegar, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper and cook at a bare simmer, covered, stirring and turning ham hock occasionally, until turnips and apples are tender but not falling apart, about 20 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in butter and salt to taste.
Remove ham hock and finely chop any tender meat, discarding skin, bone, and tough meat. Add chopped meat to pot.