Ethiopian Gomen

Gomen — Ethiopian Greens

Gomen is the name for cooked leafy greens, and sometimes for the stew itself. In Ethiopia local varieties of collard greens are used; in Israel, kale, Swiss chard or mustard greens give an accessible result. It is a mild side that balances a spicy wat.

Prep time: 20 minutes · Cooking time: 30 minutes · Yield: 6 servings · Difficulty: easy

Stems and leaves at different times

Kale and chard stems are tougher than the leaves. Chop them finely and cook them with the onion; add the leaves later. That way you don’t end up with tough stems and gray leaves.

Ingredients (for 6 servings)

• 1.2 kg kale, Swiss chard or a mix, washed well
• 60 ml olive oil
• 200 grams chopped onion
• 4 garlic cloves and 20 grams ginger, chopped
• One hot green chili, optional
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, salt and pepper
• 100–150 ml water
• Juice of half a lemon

Choosing ingredients and substitutes

Kale gives a texture close to collard greens; chard is softer and cooks faster. Spinach has a lot of water and shrinks a great deal, so you need 1.5 kg and a shorter cooking time. Wash the leaves twice in a bowl of water to remove sand.

Method

1. Separate. Remove the thick stems, chop them finely and cut the leaves into wide strips.
2. Fry the base. Heat the oil, add the onion and stems and cook for 8 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, chili and turmeric for a minute.
3. Wilt the leaves. Add the leaves in several batches and stir until they collapse. Add the water, cover and cook for 12–20 minutes depending on the type of leaf.
4. Finish. Remove the lid and evaporate excess liquid. Salt and add the lemon. The leaves should be tender but not mush.

Nutrition facts and calorie estimate

Most of the calories come from the olive oil. Cutting it to 3 tablespoons lowers it by about 40 calories per serving.

Variations and tips

• Alongside kitfo, keep the gomen mild and don’t add berbere.
• Chard needs about 12 minutes; mature kale may need 20.
• Keeps for 4 days in the fridge and freezes well for up to two months.

Summary

Good gomen is tender but still green, with stems cooked ahead and gentle seasoning. A serving is about 170 calories. It goes well alongside kitfo or misir wat.