Stinging nettles are really delicious, but before consuming it is important to take out the sting.  The key to neutralizing the stinging agent is to use moist heat (either blanching or steaming) to lightly cook them before touching or consuming them.  Once the the sting is gone, fresh stinging nettles can be used in salads, nettle pesto, ravioli …

This clear, comforting soup is filled with goodies for your spoon to find. Chunks of parmigiano rind (yes, it’s edible!), fregola sarda (a toasted Italian couscous), Italian sausage, and diced nettles are all in your bowl waiting for you. If your grocery store doesn’t offer extra parmigiano rind for soups at their cheese counter, ask …

Fresh stinging nettles are only in season in the spring, which means that if you want to enjoy them and their nutritional benefits year round you need to preserve them.  Much of the below is inspired by a recent foraging trip led by Langdon Cook.  Thanks, Langdon, for making our life a little more delicious. Here are the …

While you have to briefly blanch stinging nettles before eating them in order to remove their sting, you’re not washing their acid into the blanching water.  Instead you’ve actually disarming it completely.  After the blanch both the nettle leaves and the blanching water are completely safe to consume.  Not only that, but the blanching liquid has …

This dish isn’t especially fancy, but it is very tasty, and a super healthy side dish.  It just feels good to eat.  Ingredients: 3 Cups Stinging Nettles, blanched & chopped (How to Prep Stinging Nettles) 1 tsp Garlic, minced 1 tbsp Shallot, minced 1/4 tsp Nutmeg, freshly grated A squeeze of Lemon Juice Parmigiano Reggiano or …

This is a great way to make use of leftover nettle pesto, either after you’ve had it for dinner or thawed from your freezer. Beyond bringing extra nutrition, color and flavor to your breakfast, you can also use it for themed meals (St. Patty’s Day…green eggs & ham…). We served ours with toast spread with …

Thyme Perfumed Grilled Rack of Lamb, Compote of Morel Mushrooms and Vidalia Onions, Grits Cakes, Nettle Purée This dish is an excellent main course to serve at an elegant dinner party in the spring. There are several different components here, all featuring terrific seasonal ingredients. First, stinging nettles are boiled, then cooked with butter, cornmeal, …

When my wife tells me something is particularly healthy for her (nettles are apparently very healthy for women), you know that I am going to cook it for her … especially when it tastes this good.  She isn’t into cheese, so I subbed the parmigiano reggiano with some lemon and then some extra flor de sal to …

I’ve drunk nettle tea (made from both fresh and dried nettles) many times before. And, a couple of friends who are naturopaths proclaim the nutritional benefits of nettle tea. When naturopathic doctors agree that something is good for me, I don’t ask questions. I just open my mouth. But, I’ve never made fresh stinging nettle …

This gratin is so delicious you won’t miss the potatoes, which have been replaced by healthier (and more interesting) stinging nettles and morel mushrooms.  If you don’t have nettles on hand, don’t worry, you can always substitute another hearty green. Pairings: Red Pinot Noir from Burgundy or Chianti Ingredients: (Makes 4 Servings) ¾lb of Stinging Nettles …