Nettle, the Green Treasure of Spring
Spring brings a new awakening to nature, and nettle is among the first wild plants to grow at this time of year.
Although many remember it for its stinging leaves, nettle is actually one of the most valuable plants in traditional cooking and folk medicine.
Nettle is rich in vitamins A, C and K, iron, calcium, magnesium and numerous antioxidants. Thanks to its nutritional properties, it is considered a natural ally of the body after winter and a symbol of spring freshness and renewed energy. After brief blanching, nettle loses its sting and becomes a tender, velvety plant with a rich flavor. It tastes like a cross between spinach and young spring herbs, but with much more character. Nettle can be used to make soups, stews, pies, risottos, fillings, pesto, homemade bread and pasta. It was once picked out of necessity, while today we return to it out of respect for nature and simple food.
Nettle Soup
Ingredients
1 L root vegetable stock
3 potatoes
200 g young nettle
salt
pepper
olive oil
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Preparation
Cook the diced potatoes in the stock until completely tender. Add the washed and briefly blanched nettle and cook for a few more minutes, just long enough for it to retain its freshness and color.
Blend everything well into a thick, silky soup. Season with salt and pepper, then finish with a little high-quality olive oil to bring the flavors together and add richness.
Serve warm with a piece of homemade bread.
Nettle Stew
Ingredients
stock made from smoked meat, 500 g smoked meat or 1 small smoked pork hock
2 carrots
1 celery root
2 cloves garlic
3–4 potatoes
250 g chopped nettle
salt
pepper
Preparation
Cook the smoked meat slowly until it is completely tender and releases its rich flavor into the stock. Remove it, separate it from the bones and cut it into pieces.
Add the diced carrots, celery root, garlic and potatoes to the stock. When the vegetables are tender, add the chopped nettle and cooked meat.
Simmer briefly until all the flavors come together. Add salt as needed and season generously with pepper.
Tip for Picking Nettle
It is best to pick young nettle tops in early spring, away from roads and polluted areas.
Pick them with gloves. After brief blanching, they completely lose their stinging properties.
Nature often gives the most through what feels rough at first touch.
