Cooked Collards Greens Storage Limit

by September Porter
(Washington DC)

How far in advance should I cook my collards. I am having a luncheon on Saturday. I want to cook my fresh collards and let the flavor settle in. Shall I cook them tonight (Thursday)? Or, how far in advance and how do I SAFELY store them? I have not room in my fridge with so much other food cooked marinating and waiting to be cooked. I want to put the collards in a cooler of ice. May I???
Please advise. I await.
Thanks.