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Horta

Horta

The ultimate comfort food, Horta is a nutritious dish made with fresh dandelion greens, olive oil, and lemon juice. This easy weeknight dinner bursts with flavor and is sure to become a family favorite. Try it tonight!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dishes
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 120

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds horta wild dandelion greens, washed and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice to taste
  • 1/3 cup olive oil to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Equipment

  • Food Processor
  • Large Pot
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Pick through your horta and remove any leaves which are brown or discoloured. Remove any roots, and excess dirt. Next, carefully wash your horta until is very clear.
  2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water (about half a teaspoon per quart) to a boil and add the greens, making sure they are fully submerged. When you are boiling horta boil it with a lot of water. Although the greens will lessen in volume make sure they are boiled in a lot of water.
  3. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat for approximately 5 to 20 minutes, until the horta are tender. Every 5 minutes or so, stir the horta around in the pot.
  4. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and retain the green color. Squeeze out any remaining water.
  5. In a large bowl, whisk the together the olive oil, lemon juice, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Add the greens and toss to combine.
  6. Right before you are planning to serve your horta, gently drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil. You can add salt to taste at this point as well, and serve at room temperature in shallow bowls with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

  • Tip 1: Store any leftover Horta in an airtight container in the fridge. They should be good for up to three days.
  • Tip 2: You can freeze cooked Horta for up to two months. Just make sure to cool it completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe bag.
  • Tip 3: Horta pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or fish, making it an excellent side dish for summer barbecues.
  • Tip 4: Try adding nuts or seeds for crunch, or serve it with feta cheese for a creamier texture!
  • Tip 5: Serve Horta in shallow bowls and garnish with lemon wedges for added flavor and presentation.