Nettle recipes- Food from the wild.

shammyjack

The Dock leaves you need so you can recognise, only use the youngest leaves in early spring !

http://www.plant-identification.co.uk/skye/polygonaceae/polygonum-bistorta.htm

ENJOY !

shammy

comicmankev

How do I know if they are old or new leaves?

squeaky

The newest leaves are the smaller ones at the top of the plant, and the best picking times are between February and June.

comicmankev

I have a large greenhouse with plenty of bench space, so can probably dry them out there. How long do I leaf them (pun intended)?

shammyjack

Till snuff dry like the dried herbs in your kitchen cupboard then rub gently till like coarse leaved tea.

shammy

ladygrey_2

be careful not to pick nettles where dogs have been walked
and check out the top leaves for bird droppings too

Boro_Boy_3

Hi All

I have been inspired by the recent Ray Mears TV programme focusing on our hunter/gatherer past. The led me to investigate further the free food that most of us can find if we look beyond our normal shopping routines. What better time to start than on a gorgeous Spring morning in March. Off I drove this morning at 7.30am in search of the first of this season's nettle crops. Word of warning here.....avoid nettles growing by the sides of busy roads and of those on dog walking routes. What I was after was the top 3-4 cm of recently opened leaves. I took a carrier bag, some scissors and most importantly of all....gardening gloves (no nasty stings). After about an hour I had filled my bag and headed off home. When I got home I washed the tips thoroughly in plenty of cold running water. I then trimmed the leaves from the stalks (again wearing protective gloves - Marigolds will do fine). Having prepared the leaves it was now time to make the Nettle Soup.

2 potatoes diced
1 large onion, roughly chopped
2 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
2 Tbsp olive oil
Salt & pepper
2 chicken stock cubes
1/4 pint of single cream

Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the potatoes, onion and garlic and fry gently for 3-4 mins. Add the trimmed nettle tips to the pan. Meanwhile make up the stock using 2 chicken stock cubes and one and a half pints of water. Add the stock to the pan and boil fairly rapidly for 15 mins until the potatoes are cooked. Allow at least 20 mins to cool. Liquidize and put to one side. When you are ready to eat the soup warm it through, season with salt and pepper before finally stiring in the cream just before serving.

Mine was delicious - so much so I'll be doing the same again next week.

Lelc

This sounds interesting. I'm not sure our nettles have started to grow here yet but I'll keep my eyes open. Nettles are very good for you and I usually just take a few leaves and steep them in hot water for nettle tea (make sure you wash them thoroughly though).

Thanks for the recipe.

Jayar

Certainly sounds delicious, but did it actually taste of nettles?

organic_wanabe

Problem is - where do you find nettles away from traffic and dogs! Unfortunately, I don't have any in my garden and most places I can think of, around Edinburgh, either would be full of traffic fumes or visited by four-legged friends. I heard a piece on the radio about nettles and I did think "what a great idea". Lucky you.