Felt Food ·

World Dishes: African American Cuisine - Part 2: Collard Greens

by Felicia Davenport

One of my favorite culinary memories is the aroma rising from the kitchen, filling every corner of my grandmother’s home. I recall a savory scent that, to this day, evokes happiness, joy, and comfort. The familiar fragrance of a ham hock flavoring a pot of greens instantly reminds me of her.

Collard greens were a staple at every major family gathering or special occasion with my Black family members. This side dish added the perfect touch of flavor to my plate of chicken, mac and cheese, cornbread, and green beans. If you ask almost any member of the African American community, they’ll recognize this dish. While many adapt the recipe—swapping out pork for other ingredients—the foundation remains the same.

I wanted to recreate this dish for my children’s play kitchen as a way to connect them to our culture and history.

One of the things I appreciate most about cuisine is how it often reflects a deep history, connecting people to their culture and heritage. In the case of collard greens, this dish is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of African American history.

Enslaved African Americans were given very few provisions for food. To stretch their meager rations, they grew greens and used meat scraps—like bacon and ham hocks, which were not considered the “good” cuts of meat—to add flavor and nutritional value to their meals. This flavorful broth, often referred to as "pot liquor" or "pot likker," is rich in vitamins C, K, and A, as well as iron, making it a nourishing tonic that is still valued today.

Collard greens also hold a special place in New Year's traditions, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Their vibrant green leaves resemble cash, and eating them is believed to bring financial well-being in the year ahead.

Materials Used

  • Optional: Cutting machine – I used the Cricut Maker with a leaf design from Design Space, but you can also create your own leaf shape and cut by hand!

 

Measurements for each element:

I've provided size guides below, but feel free to adjust them to your preference! Your leaves can be as big or small as you'd like.

Leaf Size (Approximate):

  • 9 total leaves
  • Each leaf: 2.3 inches wide × 3.5 inches high

You can create your own leaf template or use a pre-made design from Cricut Design Space or another cutting machine software. I used a Cricut Maker to cut mine, but, if you prefer, you can also hand-cut your leaves for a more organic look!

Instructions

1. Using the dark green felt, cut out 9 leaves (each approximately 2.3 inches wide by 3.5 inches high).

2. Find a thread that matches your dark green felt and thread your needle.

3. Pinch the stem of your leaf, then stitch roughly one inch up from the stem. This stitch gives the leaf dimension and shape.

4. Cut off any excess thread.

5. Repeat this process for the remaining 8 leaves.

6. Toss them in a pot and enjoy!

I hope you find this project fun and easy to recreate! Our favorite part is that while these felt greens are super fun to play with on their own, you can also use them for all sorts of imaginative play—think salads, wraps, and more! 🌿✨ We’d love to see your versions of these Felt Collard Greens, so don’t forget to share them on social media by tagging @The_Felt_Store and @TheWaySheFelt_ on Instagram!

Also feel free to check out my other "World Dishes" tutorials: A Felt Food Series to Explore Diversity, including Part 1 of the "African American Cuisine":

Happy Crafting! 

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