Collard Greens on the Show "Chopped"

Ok. So… I was watching one of my favorite TV shows "Chopped." The secret ingredient was collard greens. No one really knew what they were! LOL it was very interesting to see chefs who have been formally trained not know what this was. I expect for everyday people to not know anything about "collards" but it is unacceptable for chefs not to know. I did however feel bad for the chefs because collard greens take forever to cook down properly, and on chopped you only have 30 min to make something edible
For those who do not know... Collard greens are a very thick leafy vegetable that is used as a staple when cooking “soul food” (usually only substituted by string beans or cabbage). They are usually cooked down in a pot with a meat such as a smoked ham hock or a turkey neck for flavoring. “Soul food” is a food which originated down south USA during slavery. The history behind it is as follows: after the slaves harvested the fields the masters would leave them the scraps to cook with. In turn the slaves made something out of nothing which influences the way people eat today. Today all soul food is not made with scraps, but it includes dishes like home made Mac and cheese, collard greens, fried chicken, grits, smothered pork chops, an array of ribs, okra, among many other things. Soul food is most commonly identified today with the African American Peoples of America. Personally, I love soul food. It is one of the first cuisines I learned how to make being that I was raised up on it! It is very hearty and savory. Anyone can make it if they try and are taught by someone who knows what they are doing. Almost everything in soul food from the side dishes to the main entree consists of comfort food. It truly is food for the soul! Chopped get it together! :)