A must-eat dish on New Year's day.
1 ½ quarts water
1 ½ pounds ham hocks
4 pounds collard greens, rinsed and trimmed
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (Optional)
¼ cup vegetable oil
salt and pepper to taste
Place the water and the ham hock in a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to very low and simmer covered for 30 minutes.
Add the collards and the hot pepper flakes the pot. Simmer covered for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Add the vegetable oil and simmer covered for 30 minutes.
