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Today I’m going to share 10 stinging nettle recipes that are full of flavor, easy to make, and packed with nutrition!
Stinging nettles are a highly nutritious and super flavorful green that can be used in many recipes or anywhere that you’d use spinach. If you are going to forage for them, I recommend wearing thick rubber gloves because they do sting. The best time of year to find them is in spring and early summer when they are young and tender.
After harvesting, nettles should be rinsed in clean water to remove dirt and reduce their sting. I pinch the leaves off the stems, but you might prefer to wear gloves. The stems may be tender enough that you can chop them up with the leaves attached.
After they have been washed thoroughly, blanch them by heating up a big pot of salted, boiling water. Then, without touching the nettles, dump them directly from the bag into the pot. Press them with a slotted spoon or tongs to fully submerge them. Let them cook for about 45 seconds to one minute like that. This wilts them and neutralizes the sting.
Next, drain the nettles in a colander and squeeze out all of the excess moisture. At this point, they are ready to handle without risk of being stung.
One of the easiest nettle recipes to try is to simply sautée them with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper for a delicious side green, or use them in this quiche recipe (substituting the lamb’s quarters for nettles). The leaves can also be brewed into a nutritious tea.
To learn more about finding, identifying and using nettles, check out this post: Foraging For Stinging Nettle And 5 Amazing Benefits You Didn’t Know. If stinging nettle doesn’t grow in your area, head over to Mountain Rose Herbs, my favorite place to buy high-quality, organic herbs.
Here are 10 More Nettle Recipes to Try
Nettle & Mushroom Quiche
This crustless quiche made with wild greens and wild foraged mushrooms is going to rock your world!
Nettle Cake
A stunningly-magical cake with a fresh citrus flavor & no food coloring. Easy & full of nutrition too!
Nettle Scones
Eat these delicious treats warm and spread generously with butter. The perfect accompaniment to any supper.
Savory Nettle Bread Pudding
Turn to stinging nettle—a weed in many places of the world—to add flavor and nutrition to this easy, plant-based side dish.
Lentil & Nettle Curry
Put these two foods together and you have one almighty bowl of hearty goodness! It’s cheap, healthy, tasty, comforting, and nourishing.
Nettle spanakopita
Combine nettle with creamy ricotta and fresh herbs, then wrap them in crisp filo pastry. Eating your greens has never been so enjoyable.
Garlic Cream & Nettle Pizza
For all the pizza lovers out there. The combination of garlic and nettles is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
No-Bake Chocolate Cupcakes With Nettle Frosting
You’re going to fall in love with these no-bake chocolate mini cakes with their vibrant green nettle frosting.
Interested in other foraged food recipes? Check these out!
As a forager, I’m always hunting for new edible weeds to use in cooking. A great way to help our environment is to learn how to use plants and invasive weeds that have been pestering our landscape and gardens and turn them into delicious food. The best part is that when invasive plants are involved, there’s no way to over-harvest. You can harvest to your heart’s content with no ethical considerations. So after you’ve tried a few nettle recipes, go ahead and give one of these a try!
Disclaimer- I am not a medical professional. All information shared here is for information and entertainment only. Do your own research and consult your health care provider before treating yourself with any product, plant or mixture.
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