”Nettles are not only highly nutritious they also have many uses including medicine, clothing, dyes and much more. But first you must know how to pick them safely
GeorgeFlavour Fred
The needles that deliver the sting are precise and can be nullified by blending or blanching. I also show how to press them against the stem safely.
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Here’s how to safely pick nettle tops. The needles act like a precise delivery method for irritants including formic acid so they need to be destroyed then the irritant is in such small quantities no sting remains. The needles point slightly upwards so pressing them against the stem and pinching to take the nutritious nettle tops. Choose 5 spots and each week move to the next spot. By the time you get back to your first spot you’ll have fresh tops once more. Avoid picking when in seed and be respectful to yourself, the plants, animals and all around you. Wash before use please (it had just stopped raining for me here @yeovalley)
I’ll make a nice little mixed wild leaf chermoula with this alongside wild garlic, sea beetroot, pickled mushrooms and some classic ingredients. Nettles are a big hitter when it comes to umami so this green is a must for those interested in upping their wild food intake!
Vitamins: – A, B1, B2, C, E, K
Minerals: – Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Sulphur, Aluminium, Bromine, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Fluorine, Manganese, Nickel, Silicon.
Can be cooked like spinach, made into soups, dumplings, blended into sauces etc., also great in tea, wine and beer.
