Gomen (Ethiopian Braised Collard Greens)
Local name: ጎመን
In short: Finely chopped collard greens cooked slowly with onion, garlic, ginger and green chili until silky, the mild vegan side on every Ethiopian platter. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 130 kcal
Gomen is the collard greens dish found on almost every Ethiopian platter, and the one most often served on fasting days. The greens are boiled until tender, then cooked with onion, garlic, ginger and a little green chili until soft, silky and mellow. Its mild, earthy flavor balances spicy wats and rich meat dishes beautifully. Chop the greens finely, because they are cooked until meltingly soft rather than left bright green.
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the collard leaves for 8 minutes until tender, then drain, cool and press out as much water as you can.
- Chop the cooked greens very finely and set them aside.
- Heat the oil in a wide pot over medium heat. Cook the onion for 8 minutes until soft and golden.
- Add the garlic, ginger, chilies and cardamom and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the chopped greens, the water and the salt. Cover and cook on low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring now and then, until very tender and the flavors have blended.
- Uncover for the last few minutes to cook off any extra liquid. Taste, adjust the salt and serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Kale makes a good substitute. Strip the stems and cut the boiling time to 5 minutes. Spinach needs no pre-boiling, just 5 minutes in the pan.
- Gomen keeps for 4 days in the fridge and tastes even better the next day, so it is a good dish to make ahead for a fasting-day platter.
Questions and answers
What is gomen served with?
It sits on the injera platter next to doro wat, kitfo, misir wat and other stews. It also pairs well with plain rice.
Can I use kale instead of collard greens?
Yes. Kale gives a similar flavor and cooks a little faster, so shorten the first boil to about 5 minutes.
Can I freeze gomen?
Yes, for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and warm it gently with a splash of water.
How long does it take to make Gomen (Ethiopian Braised Collard Greens)?
About 1 h in total: 20 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Gomen (Ethiopian Braised Collard Greens)?
About 130 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 130 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
