Source Attribution
Original Cookbook Name: The Black Family Reunion Cookbook
Published By: The National Council of Negro Women, Inc.
Year of Publication: 1991
Page Number: 70
Author / Contributor: Listed under “Heritage Recipe” (specific contributor not named)
Collard Greens With Neckbones is one of the most enduring dishes in the African American culinary tradition. Rooted in West African foodways where leafy greens were simmered in rich broths, this recipe traveled through generations, finding new expression in the kitchens of the American South. During enslavement and Reconstruction, cooks transformed humble ingredients—greens from the garden and inexpensive cuts of pork—into deeply nourishing and flavorful meals. Served at Sunday dinners, holidays, and family reunions, collard greens symbolize resilience, prosperity, and community. Their broth, known as potlikker, is often sopped up with cornbread — a ritual that ties the dish to both survival and celebration.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork neckbones
- 2 bunches of collard greens
- 1 tablespoon bacon drippings
- Dash red pepper sauce
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Parboil neckbones in a large saucepan. Remove from broth.
- Add greens. Cook on low heat until tender.
- Add bacon drippings, red pepper sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Editor’s Note
For a lighter variation, substitute smoked turkey necks or wings in place of pork neckbones. To enhance the flavor, simmer the greens slowly to develop a rich broth, and don’t discard the potlikker — it’s full of vitamins and flavor. Serve with hot cornbread for a traditional Southern pairing.
Cultural Insight
This dish stands at the heart of African American food heritage. The method of cooking greens with smoked meats reflects both cultural adaptation and creativity, born from limited access to resources. Collard greens were often grown in family gardens, sustaining households throughout the winter. The addition of bacon drippings and pepper sauce adds depth and spice, layers of flavor that define soul food. Beyond nourishment, the dish carries symbolic meaning: greens for prosperity and neckbones for strength, representing a community’s ability to thrive through ingenuity and faith.
Visual Reference
