How to Eat Stinging Nettles
Stinging nettles are appropriately named as they will "sting" you if you happen to come into contact with the hairs on their leaves. Yet, as formidable as this plant sounds, it can yield a food source replete with calcium, iron and vitamin C. The leaves of the stinging nettle rival other popular greens such as spinach, and some people find that they prefer the taste of nettles. Harvesting and cooking the nettles are simple tasks. If you prefer, you can even purchase nettle leaves in certain health foods stores or specialty markets. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Pants
- Long sleeved shirt
- Gloves
- Nettle leaves
- Rubber gloves
- Water
- Large pot or pan
- Stove
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- 3 tbsp. of chopped green garlic
- Tongs or spatula
Instructions
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1
Wear long pants, long sleeves and gloves when harvesting nettles. Snap the leaves located on the top of the bush, as they will be the best-tasting and most tender when prepared.
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2
Wear rubber gloves and rinse the nettle leaves under the kitchen faucet to clean.
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3
Preheat a large pot or saute pan on a stove top, using medium-high heat. Pour 1/4 cup of olive oil into the pan.
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4
Add 3 tablespoons of chopped green garlic to the pan and saute for approximately 30 seconds. Take care not to brown or burn the garlic.
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5
Place the cleaned nettle leaves into the pan and stir once. Allow the leaves, olive oil and garlic to sit for approximately one minute and then stir the leaves again.
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6
Remove the leaves from the pan with tongs or a spatula when wilted, place on a plate and drizzle the remaining olive oil on top.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Nettles don't contain as much water as spinach, so you may want to add a couple of tablespoons of water to the pan when cooking. This will accelerate the cooking process, and the nettles won't become crispy.
Add lemon wedges for garnish when you serve the nettles, if desired.
