Sweet and Sour Greens

6 slices bacon, chopped

½ cup water

¼ cup vinegar

½ cup white sugar

⅛ teaspoon salt

⅛ teaspoon black pepper

2 ½ pounds fresh collard greens, tough stems removed and leaves torn into bite-size pieces

Cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until browned and crisp, about 8 minutes, stirring often. Transfer bacon pieces into a bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving the drippings in the pan.

Stir water, vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper into the bacon drippings until the sugar has dissolved; bring the mixture to a boil. Place collards into the boiling mixture, and stir to mix well. Cover the Dutch oven, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until the greens are tender, 30 to 45 minutes. Drizzle in a little more water or vinegar if greens become too dry.

Spoon greens into a serving dish, and sprinkle with the cooked bacon pieces.