How to Collect and Prepare Stinging Nettle

My daughter learned to identify stinging nettle when she was only 2 years old. We were out for a walk in the woods, when she started screaming, staring at her hand in confusion. She had grabbed a stinging nettle plant. 😥

After the sting died down via lots of mommy kisses, we looked carefully (with our eyes only!) at the plants around us, learning how to identify the pointy mint-like leaves and the prickly hairs on the stems of stinging nettle. 

"Is this one stinging nettle?" I asked, pointing at some garlic mustard. 

"No!" 

"Is this one stinging nettle?" I asked, pointing at some nettle.

"Yes...owie!"

Nettle is best eaten in the spring, when the leaves are young and tender. I wear thick gloves and use scissors to harvest, dropping them into a plastic shopping bag. I wear long pants or boots to prevent my legs from brushing inadvertently against the plant. You can collect nettles at any time during the growing season for tea. 

Nettles are typically found in moist areas, so look along rivers or lakes. They look similar to mint leaves, but have small needles on the stalks. If you've ever been stung, you probably remember the location! 

Of course, whenever harvesting wild edibles, it's wise to triple check that you have the correct plant, or go with an experienced harvester.

Blanch the nettle to prepare it for handling and cooking. They are surprisingly nutritious, versatile, and delicious! You can use the cooked nettle as a spinach substitute, or in one of my favorite recipes:

-Creamy Nettle Soup

-Nettle Malfatti

Instructions:

1. Boil a large pot of water

2. Wearing gloves, dump the nettle into the boiling water

3. Cook for 1-2 minutes

4. Strain the water out, then transfer the nettle into a bowl or pot filled with ice water

Once the nettle is cooked, the prickly parts that sting are no longer irritants to the skin, and you can handle them with bare hands. 

5. Remove larger stems and discard. The tops are usually tender enough that you don't need to pick off each individual leaf.

6. The nettle is ready to use in your recipe, or to freeze for future use.

Note: 

Don't dump out that pot of water where the nettles were boiled! You can cool and drink this nutritious tea. Nettle tea has many vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, and has been used for treating arthritis, allergies, inflammation, blood sugar, etc.