Greek Pan-Sautéed Wild Greens
Tender wild greens pan-sautéed with olive oil and herbs — is one of Greece’s most beloved, simple dishes. Quick to prepare, deeply flavorful, and endlessly adaptable, each region in Greece has its own take on this rustic classic.
Tender wild greens pan-sautéed with olive oil and herbs — is one of Greece’s most beloved, simple dishes. Quick to prepare, deeply flavorful, and endlessly adaptable, each region in Greece has its own take on this rustic classic.
Info
Prep Time:
15mCook Time:
16mDifficulty Level:
Ingredients
Servings: 4
- 1 kg seasonal leafy greens (e.g., amaranth, chard, beet greens, or wild greens)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced or finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 3–4 tender spring onions, finely chopped
- 1 ripe tomato, finely chopped or 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh fennel fronds or dill
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Directions
Clean the Greens
Wash the greens thoroughly, removing any tough stems or wilted leaves. Blanch them briefly in boiling water (optional, see tip), then immediately transfer to a bowl of cold water. Drain well and roughly chop into large pieces.Sauté the Aromatics
In a wide, shallow pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the yellow onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute, until fragrant.Cook the Greens
Add the well-drained, chopped greens to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they reduce in volume and begin to soften.Add the Remaining Ingredients
Stir in the spring onions and the chopped tomato (or tomato paste). Simmer for another 10 minutes, uncovered, until the greens are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.Finish the Dish
Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Just before serving, stir in the chopped fennel fronds or dill.
Recipe Tips
- To keep the greens vibrant green, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes before sautéing.
- In summer, skip the cooking tomato: instead, grate fresh raw tomato over the dish before serving for a refreshing touch.
- Across Greece, you’ll find different regional styles:
- In the Dodecanese, tsigarista chorta are served as a warm salad.
- In Central Greece, they’re eaten as a main dish with feta cheese.
- In the Aegean islands, they’re always accompanied by fresh vegetables and yard-long green beans (ampelofasoula).
- You can also enrich the dish with other tender seasonal vegetables like baby zucchini, fresh green beans, or zucchini blossoms.