Kamala Harris' Greens Recipe Has A Surprising Detail That May Carry Some Risks

Knowing the beloved special recipes of celebrities can give you plenty of insight into their private lives. However, sometimes the most surprising aspect of a famous person's favorite food recipe lies in the preparation of the ingredients rather than the ingredients themselves — like former United States Vice President Kamala Harris' hearty greens recipe. 

Harris follows a daily diet that focuses on healthier foods. As she explained in an Instagram video, a friend used to ask her to make greens for the friend's Christmas Eve festivities. But Harris said she had to use so many greens that she would "wash them in the bathtub."

The admission begs a major question: Is washing produce in the bathtub risky? Or is it simply an unorthodox and convenient method to overcome the logistics of cleaning grit, sand, and other debris off a large amount of greens (like heart-healthy collard greens, mustard greens, spinach, or another leafy green vegetable) before cooking and serving them?

One of the biggest mistakes when washing vegetables is cleaning them in a potentially unsanitary spot — and bathtubs aren't exactly the cleanest places in your home. When SafeHome.org tested multiple bathroom surfaces, it found evidence of plenty of lingering bacteria. This included the shower floor, which was 60 times germier than the toilet seat and contained bacteria known to be harmful to humans.

In fact, the pathogen detected by the testing has been associated with pneumonia and other infections under different circumstances. As part of an interview for Everyday Health, environmental biology professional Dr. Charles Gerba noted, "In bathwater we found about 100,000 fecal bacteria per cup of water." He suggested using a disinfecting product on bathtub surfaces to reduce any kind of transfer of fecal substances.

Of course, if you're cooking a huge amount of greens like Harris, you might be in a similar and totally understandable predicament. Consequently, you'll need to find another way to clean your produce without resorting to using the bathroom as a substitute sink.

One systematic method to tackle the job of rinsing off a ton of leafy greens (even if you have a tiny sink) is by using a colander to rinse off small batches of the vegetables at a time. As each batch is finished, transfer them to a larger bowl to continue to dry before you use them. 

When properly cleaned and prepared, greens offer up some serious nutritional value. Dark leafy greens tend to be rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as other nutrients depending on the green you choose. Adding dark greens to your diet could lower your chances of developing cardiovascular disease, inflammatory conditions, and some forms of cancer.

If you're planning to recreate Harris' recipe, though, be sure to set aside enough time, because it's an all-day event. Harris said she starts by cooking bacon, chili peppers, and sliced garlic in a stock augmented with water. After two hours of letting the flavors simmer together, she adds all the washed greens and a touch of white vinegar and Tabasco sauce. Then, she cooks the dish for another two hours.