Emma Alter
I was first introduced to the taste of stinging nettles last spring when I bought some at my farmers' market and made a cream soup with them. I ended up making a really delicious risotto with them, but I should have saved some for medicinal purposes.
Nettles are one of those power-house plants that provide you with an astonishing array of health benefits. They are rich in calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, silica, iodine, sodium, sulfur and other elements including tannin, beta-carotene and amino acids. They are frequently used in herbal medicine and are said to be good for colds and break up congestion, in addition to a providing you with a good source of vitamins C and B complex.. I've had a cold all week, and perhaps I would have been wiser to make a tea with them and dose myself that way. On the other hand, I can't resist risotto.
Do handle the nettles carefully using gloves, because they really will sting you. Wash them well and then blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes and then the sting will be removed. After I had blanched them I chopped them finely and set them aside while I made the risotto. I used my regular risotto method and then just before the rice was finished I added the chopped nettles and stirred them until the rice was cooked and the nettles were warmed through.
This was a big hit with my daughter and her roommate. There was just enough left over for my lunch the next day, and it was still delicious. If you don't want to make a risotto, you can put the nettles into a frittata, stews or soups, really anywhere that you would use something like spinach.
