Nettles Recipes

PASTA WITH STINGING NETTLES

Steps:

• Toast walnuts in a small skillet over medium heat until lightly browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain.
• Wearing dish gloves or disposable gloves, rinse nettles under running water to remove any dust or dirt. Cut off all the thick main stems.
• Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Drop nettles into the boiling water and cook, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse immediately under cold water, then drain again. Squeeze nettles gently to remove some of the excess water; they can be a little bit wet. Transfer nettles to a cutting board and chop.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a small skillet. Add garlic and cook until fragrant and translucent, without browning, 1 to 2 minutes. Add chopped nettles and cook, stirring, until heated through. Drizzle with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and mix in remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Toss with pasta and serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

NETTLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, leek and potato, and cook for 10 mins until the vegetables start to soften. Add the stock and cook for a further 10-15 mins until the potato is soft.
• Add the nettle leaves, simmer for 1 min to wilt, then blend the soup. Season to taste, then stir in the butter and cream. Serve the soup drizzled with extra oil and scattered with dead nettle flowers, if you have them.

CREAMY STINGING NETTLE RECIPE

Steps:

• Clean and rinse one pound stinging nettles. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add nettles and cook until wilted, about 5-10 minutes. Drain in a colander.
• In a large cast iron or non-stick skillet, heat the two tablespoons butter and two garlic cloves over medium heat, until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Whisk in one tablespoon flour and cook until smooth and bubbly, about one minute.
• Add the nettle and 1/2 cup reserved cooking liquid. Simmer the nettle, stirring, until the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup milk and two tablespoons sour cream. Stir into the nettles. Add a pinch of nutmeg; season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook over medium heat until mixture thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
• Add a swirl of sour cream on top if you wish. Enjoy!

NETTLES

Steps:

• Heat olive oil and water in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; simmer until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat slightly and mix in nettle leaves with a wooden spoon. Cook, stirring often, until leaves tender and emerald green in color, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.