Nettles

Leon · 05-14-2008, 08:54 PM

Are many of you a fan of nettles? In the UK they can be find pretty much everywhere.

Traditional uses here are as a soup or herbal tea, i have not tried the soup (im happy to hear anyones recipes) but found that the tea works best combined with mint as that helps to remove the bitterness and also works very well as a digestive aid.

I am also only familiar with the "stingy" variety, any information on any other varieties would be appreciated.

grazer · 05-17-2008, 02:06 AM

Hi Leon. Two species around here, both stinging, both European. I like them, but I haven't found any within 20 miles of my house here in Pennsylvania. Went to a horse camp 40 miles away and plenty there.

wildWoman · 05-18-2008, 04:27 PM

I love nettles, but the tea we make from the nettles here never tastes bitter! Also is yummy as a steamed veggie. They don't grow here naturally, so I ordered some seeds to grow them from. This is just the plain old stinging nettle.

Leon · 05-18-2008, 08:34 PM

As a steamed veg do they make a good substitute for spinach? Im thinking of trying them like that but am wondering what to serve them with.

wildWoman · 05-19-2008, 04:26 PM

They taste different than spinach, but you can use them in a similar way. Try steaming nettle leaves, and putting them on as pizza topping, or serve with olive oil and garlic on pasta, or as a veggie side dish (lemon butter sauce with it?!). Similar to spinach, nettles contain a lot of iron and are healthy on top of being tasty.

Rick · 05-19-2008, 05:09 PM

You might try adding them to a soup or a stew. The nettles are high in vitamins A and C as well as iron, as WildWoman said, and protein.

Enjoy!! http://www.mariquita.com/recipes/nettles.html

Leon · 05-19-2008, 05:34 PM

I tell you what - i really fancy the idea of them on pizza, there just something that makes that seem appertising! Got some nettles in the garden too

Oh cheers for that link, the risotto sounds genius!

I see the theme you both have inadvertently presented, pizza and then a load of italian style recipes

bulrush · 05-23-2008, 01:37 PM

A cure for the sting of stinging nettles is jewel weed, aka Touch-Me-Not. I tried this last week and it works. I have used it 3 times in the past 2 weeks. Find a leaf or 2 of jewel weed, it grows in damp conditions in part sun, often in roadside ditches as long as they remain damp all year, then smash and rub the leaf on the affected area. I got permanent relief in 1 minute. I was amazed and astounded! Someone should bottle this stuff.

Tony uk · 05-23-2008, 07:32 PM

Stinging nettles are everywhere here, Theres some large ones in my back garden i think, I think nettels used in stews are quite nice, Making them into a soup is when their best, I use vegtabal stock and a load of fresh large nettles, Cooked slowly, Makes an exelent, Very healthy meal.

Ive found they go well with steak

Leon · 05-23-2008, 07:36 PM

Is that a larged leaved plant? If so we call them "Doc" leaves in the UK, they grow near water and as you stated provide relief for stings!

I missed the season a bit though for eating the nettles they are getting old round here and some are flowering. And a flowering nettle is bad news, it makes it sting when you urinate!

Tony uk · 05-23-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leon

Is that a larged leaved plant? If so we call them "Doc" leaves in the UK, they grow near water and as you stated provide relief for stings!

I missed the season a bit though for eating the nettles they are getting old round here and some are flowering. And a flowering nettle is bad news, it makes it sting when you urinate!

Doc leaves are great for nettle stings, Running the area under flowing water will also take the sting away, Works a treat.

Rick · 05-23-2008, 10:03 PM

Leon, you are supposed to pick the nettles with your hands, lad. I don't even want to think about what you're doing.

Leon · 05-25-2008, 08:58 AM

Lol.

Well if you don't believe me go find some old nettles that are flowering and pick them, with your hands of course, and try eating them (anyway you like).

You will have a nasty surprise i assure you, these crystals form from the chemicals (i can't remem their specific name) but they cause your urine to be gritty and sting like hell - not fun

bulrush · 05-27-2008, 04:59 PM

Dock, aka "burdock" is not the same thing. Dock is low to the ground with huge leaves. Nettle is a standing plant. Stinging nettle has spines on the stem. If you brush up against it it hurts for about 5 minutes like you had been stung by a bee.

Leon · 05-27-2008, 06:41 PM

Yeah no confusion with doc and burdock here, dandelion and burdock is a traditional drink so i know the difference - gardners are funny saying these plants are weeds...

BIG TONE · 05-29-2008, 06:13 PM

how do you cook them for salad or tea without stinging your tongue.i have them everywhere around here and just alway avoided them.

Leon · 05-29-2008, 06:26 PM

the sting is removed once cooked, steaming is a popular method.

Rick · 05-29-2008, 07:24 PM

Big Tone - You want to pick young shoots that are only a few inches high and only the top most leaves on the plant. Those leaves are a paler green. That keeps you away from the big stinging hairs.

BIG TONE · 05-29-2008, 08:53 PM

This Weekend I Shall Have Nettle Tea I Think

Rick · 05-29-2008, 08:56 PM

If we don't hear from you.......just kidding.

05-14-2008, 08:54 PM	#1
Leon Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: England Posts: 70	Nettles Are many of you a fan of nettles? In the UK they can be find pretty much everywhere. Traditional uses here are as a soup or herbal tea, i have not tried the soup (im happy to hear anyones recipes) but found that the tea works best combined with mint as that helps to remove the bitterness and also works very well as a digestive aid. I am also only familiar with the "stingy" variety, any information on any other varieties would be appreciated.

05-18-2008, 04:27 PM	#3
wildWoman walk lightly on the earth Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 882 Blog Entries: 1	I love nettles, but the tea we make from the nettles here never tastes bitter! Also is yummy as a steamed veggie. They don't grow here naturally, so I ordered some seeds to grow them from. This is just the plain old stinging nettle. __________________ Actions speak louder than words

05-18-2008, 08:34 PM	#4
Leon Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: England Posts: 70	As a steamed veg do they make a good substitute for spinach? Im thinking of trying them like that but am wondering what to serve them with. __________________ "It is sometimes better to miss an opportunity than to invite disaster" - Stilgar, from Dune by Frank Herbert

05-19-2008, 04:26 PM	#5
wildWoman walk lightly on the earth Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 882 Blog Entries: 1	They taste different than spinach, but you can use them in a similar way. Try steaming nettle leaves, and putting them on as pizza topping, or serve with olive oil and garlic on pasta, or as a veggie side dish (lemon butter sauce with it?!). Similar to spinach, nettles contain a lot of iron and are healthy on top of being tasty. __________________ Actions speak louder than words

05-19-2008, 05:09 PM	#6
Rick Administrator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 28,000 Blog Entries: 2	You might try adding them to a soup or a stew. The nettles are high in vitamins A and C as well as iron, as WildWoman said, and protein. Enjoy!! http://www.mariquita.com/recipes/nettles.html __________________ Safe Zone LLC "The Most Trusted Name in Outdoor Gear". Check out our free Family Disaster Plan The Mora Bushcraft Series is now available! Knot Making and Wild Edible Plants cards are in!

05-17-2008, 02:06 AM	#2
grazer Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Canonsburg, PA Posts: 19	Hi Leon. Two species around here, both stinging, both European. I like them, but I haven't found any within 20 miles of my house here in Pennsylvania. Went to a horse camp 40 miles away and plenty there.

05-19-2008, 05:34 PM	#7
Leon Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: England Posts: 70	I tell you what - i really fancy the idea of them on pizza, there just something that makes that seem appertising! Got some nettles in the garden too Oh cheers for that link, the risotto sounds genius! I see the theme you both have inadvertently presented, pizza and then a load of italian style recipes __________________ "It is sometimes better to miss an opportunity than to invite disaster" - Stilgar, from Dune by Frank Herbert

05-23-2008, 01:37 PM	#8
bulrush Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,087 Blog Entries: 28	A cure for the sting of stinging nettles is jewel weed, aka Touch-Me-Not. I tried this last week and it works. I have used it 3 times in the past 2 weeks. Find a leaf or 2 of jewel weed, it grows in damp conditions in part sun, often in roadside ditches as long as they remain damp all year, then smash and rub the leaf on the affected area. I got permanent relief in 1 minute. I was amazed and astounded! Someone should bottle this stuff.

05-23-2008, 07:32 PM	#9
Tony uk Chinese Spanner Operator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,550 Blog Entries: 1	Stinging nettles are everywhere here, Theres some large ones in my back garden i think, I think nettels used in stews are quite nice, Making them into a soup is when their best, I use vegtabal stock and a load of fresh large nettles, Cooked slowly, Makes an exelent, Very healthy meal. Ive found they go well with steak __________________ A wise person does at once, what a fool does at last. Both do the same thing; only at different times.

05-23-2008, 07:36 PM	#10
Leon Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: England Posts: 70	Is that a larged leaved plant? If so we call them "Doc" leaves in the UK, they grow near water and as you stated provide relief for stings! I missed the season a bit though for eating the nettles they are getting old round here and some are flowering. And a flowering nettle is bad news, it makes it sting when you urinate! __________________ "It is sometimes better to miss an opportunity than to invite disaster" - Stilgar, from Dune by Frank Herbert

05-23-2008, 10:03 PM	#12
Rick Administrator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 28,000 Blog Entries: 2	Leon, you are supposed to pick the nettles with your hands, lad. I don't even want to think about what you're doing. __________________ Safe Zone LLC "The Most Trusted Name in Outdoor Gear". Check out our free Family Disaster Plan The Mora Bushcraft Series is now available! Knot Making and Wild Edible Plants cards are in!

05-25-2008, 08:58 AM	#13
Leon Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: England Posts: 70	Lol. Well if you don't believe me go find some old nettles that are flowering and pick them, with your hands of course, and try eating them (anyway you like). You will have a nasty surprise i assure you, these crystals form from the chemicals (i can't remem their specific name) but they cause your urine to be gritty and sting like hell - not fun __________________ "It is sometimes better to miss an opportunity than to invite disaster" - Stilgar, from Dune by Frank Herbert

05-27-2008, 04:59 PM	#14
bulrush Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,087 Blog Entries: 28	Dock, aka "burdock" is not the same thing. Dock is low to the ground with huge leaves. Nettle is a standing plant. Stinging nettle has spines on the stem. If you brush up against it it hurts for about 5 minutes like you had been stung by a bee.

05-27-2008, 06:41 PM	#15
Leon Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: England Posts: 70	Yeah no confusion with doc and burdock here, dandelion and burdock is a traditional drink so i know the difference - gardners are funny saying these plants are weeds... __________________ "It is sometimes better to miss an opportunity than to invite disaster" - Stilgar, from Dune by Frank Herbert

05-29-2008, 06:13 PM	#16
BIG TONE Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: NEWCASTLE NE Posts: 70	how do you cook them for salad or tea without stinging your tongue.i have them everywhere around here and just alway avoided them.

05-29-2008, 06:26 PM	#17
Leon Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: England Posts: 70	the sting is removed once cooked, steaming is a popular method. __________________ "It is sometimes better to miss an opportunity than to invite disaster" - Stilgar, from Dune by Frank Herbert

05-29-2008, 07:24 PM	#18
Rick Administrator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 28,000 Blog Entries: 2	Big Tone - You want to pick young shoots that are only a few inches high and only the top most leaves on the plant. Those leaves are a paler green. That keeps you away from the big stinging hairs. __________________ Safe Zone LLC "The Most Trusted Name in Outdoor Gear". Check out our free Family Disaster Plan The Mora Bushcraft Series is now available! Knot Making and Wild Edible Plants cards are in!

05-29-2008, 08:53 PM	#19
BIG TONE Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: NEWCASTLE NE Posts: 70	This Weekend I Shall Have Nettle Tea I Think

05-29-2008, 08:56 PM	#20
Rick Administrator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 28,000 Blog Entries: 2	If we don't hear from you.......just kidding. __________________ Safe Zone LLC "The Most Trusted Name in Outdoor Gear". Check out our free Family Disaster Plan The Mora Bushcraft Series is now available! Knot Making and Wild Edible Plants cards are in!