Have you ever eaten nettles? Some parts are edible you know. Above is what nettles look like growing in the spring. Don't pick them without gloves on. They aren't called Stinging Nettles for nothing! Below is what they look like after picking and washing. These have a note on them because my BF came in and looked at them and I could tell by the look on his face that he was getting ready to put his hands in there and fluff them up. Just a little reminder. I cook them just like spinach, kinda steam them with some garlic and olive oil and then a bit of balsamic vinegar. Very nutritious and free!
Above you can see our new crop of tomato and chard plants. We have since planted them out, the chard is planted all over the yard because it is such a beautiful plant. The tomatoes are in the little makeshift greenhouse. I'll show you more of those later in the season.
Be well.
11 comments:
My DH often talks of eating Burdock when he was a child & Dandelion but I am afraid I never did nor do I intend to!!
Good luck with the nettles!!
Love,
Marilyn
xxoo
You are a brave woman. I think I would just move along to the dandelions. lol! I love chard. My mom always planted it. :) xo Pam
I miss having chard....it is so good and always *look* so utterly appetizing and, well, like it should be on an artists plate!
There were other wild greens I knew you could eat, but not the stinging nettle. Ours jumped up here...I mean, they are tall.
I should tell DH to go gather some for me.... >:)
On one hand, it's not much different than gathering the older forms of mustard greens that are all prickly.
XXOO!!
Anne
Chard is good..nettles..never heard of them/it! thanks so much..I'll have to check them out at our local market in May and ask who or if someone grows it! Thanks!
I have heard of eating nettles but I think I'll pass, I don't want to take any chance of getting stung. I got stung really bad at camp when I was a kid and never want to be close to any again. Chard however I love, and also beet greens - Mustard greens were never one of my favorites, too pungent.
Hi'ya Jan!!
Yes I have heard of Nettles and...when I lived in England they made it into a hot tea there.
If I remember correctly Nettle tea was good for stomach problems...I think... ha ha only if you make sure the spikey parts are gone!!! :D
Anyway Swiss Chard is also very good for you.
I love vegetable gardens and if I had more energy I would probably start one.
Take care my friend, enjoy and let me know if you made some tea out of the Nettles or not!
Cheerio,
Susan
Do you just steam them and then no prickly parts? Or do you have to take off all of the prickly parts?
I agree with Anne ours just jump up too...and bite you!!
I never had any and then we brought in some dirt and now they are every where.
It would be nice to make lemonade.
have a great day.
I have had nettle soup before but have never steamed them as a vegetable.
Hi, when the nettles are cooked the stinging part disappears. they do not need to have the stinging parts removed, the cooking softens them up enough to be eaten without fear of stings. it is best to pick them before they get taller than 4 inches. Nettle tea I have not had but I may yet. I believe they use nettle roots for many herbal infusions and potions also.
My luck, I'd eat the inedible part! I've never had dandelion greens either.
Wow jan these look great. I love organic food. Those are the only foods I ate when i was a child but unfortunately they are not readily available here and if they are, they cost a bundle! You are lucky!
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