Didn't you mention your mom making collards before?
I found an interesting article here and intend to follow this recipe.
Gotta get some ham hocks...I've had salt pork, but never actual hocks before.
Ham hocks are TERRIFIC in bean soup, so in cooking greens, I'm sure they'd be good, too!
And, yes, you need a smoked ham hock. You can buy it in the meat departments down here ... shrink-wrapped on a white Stryofoam tray.
Now, if you're fat-conscious, you can use a smoked turkey wing ... but there's something missing in the taste. It tastes good ... but not the same.