My first thought was - why would you buy something you can get for free on any roadside? And my second thought (which might have been your first thought) - is there much demand for nettles anyway? Now I eat nettles, though I've been a bit remiss in collecting them this spring, but I do feel like I'm very much in the minority.
If you're considering it, they are very good for you - full of iron and other nutrients - but you need to pick them before they start flowering, otherwise they are no good to eat. It's getting a bit late in the season now, certainly around London, but you might still get some decent ones. It's best to just pick the tips. You can even dilute the cooking water and drink it as nettle tea!
Whether you buy them or pick them yourself, nettles are good in curry, frittata or even quiche, in the same way that you'd use spinach. Here's a recipe for nettle pesto.
Nettle pesto
A few big handfuls nettle tops
1 tub ricotta
1-2 cloves garlic, to taste
2oz / 50g pine nuts, walnuts or hazelnuts
25g/ 1oz grated parmesan or similar cheese, plus extra to taste
Boil the nettles in plenty of water for about 2 minutes or until thoroughly wilted. Drain and place in a food processor with the other ingredients. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the ingredients as you wish.
Stir into just-drained cooked pasta. Serve with extra parmesan.
Yum! Thanks for posting the nettle pesto recipe. :)
ReplyDeleteNettles are a very good purgative. They detox the blood. They are at their best in March, beginning of April.
ReplyDeleteFat free tarka Dall with steared in and wilted netlles, brown rice and a sprinkle of toasted seeds and you have yourself a perfect vegan meal fantastic if you are on a low GI diet. Proteins, fibres, zillion of nutriments, total winner.