Collard Greens with Fennel and Orange Butter

• Recipe by Eric Bromberg and Bruce Bromberg

Ingredients

1. 1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter
2. 4 medium fennel bulbs--halved, cored and sliced lengthwise 1/4 inch thick
3. 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
4. 4 cups fresh orange juice
5. 7 pounds collard greens, large stems discarded, leaves cut into 2-inch pieces
6. Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a large enameled cast-iron casserole. Add the fennel and orange zest and cook over moderately high heat, stirring frequently, until the fennel browns around the edges, about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to moderately low and cook, stirring occasionally, until evenly browned, about 12 minutes longer. Add the orange juice and boil over high heat until reduced by one-third, about 8 minutes.
2. Stir in the collards in batches, adding more as the leaves wilt. Cook the collards until just tender, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Make Ahead

The cooked collards and fennel can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated before serving.