Back home we used to pick nettle each year, dry it out and store to make tea throughout the year. I have never actually cooked with it and this is my first time. I had so many ideas what to do, but for now I’ve settled for a simple Spring Nettle Soup. You really can’t go wrong with a bowl of this green goodness. Although you should have seen my son’s face when I presented him with a bowl for lunch yesterday!
Fortunately I have found nettle at my local Farmer’s market, so I haven’t actually picked it myself. If you live in the countryside it’ll be very easy for you to pick your own nettle and spring is the best time to do so. Make sure the nettles are free from pesticides, wear gloves and only pick the top 4 leaves of the plant. Wash them thoroughly and use in cooking as you would use spinach. The leaves only need quick 1-2 minutes blanching to deactivate the sting, although I’ve been told blending it raw does the same thing. If you can’t find nettle or when not in season you can use spinach, watercress or other leafy greens in this recipe. Enjoy:)
Spring Nettle Soup
Ingredients
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, halved
- 2 celery sticks, chopped
- 1 leek, chopped
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1l vegetable stock/broth/water (4 cups)
- 100g nettle tops (4 cups of leaves)
- fresh chives to garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot heat 1tbsp of olive oil, add chopped onion, garlic, celery and leek and leave to cook for about 5 minutes stirring frequently.
- After 5 minutes add potatoes and your choice of liquid. Bring to a boil and leave to simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the potatoes are soft.
- Carefully pick nettle leaves from the stems and wash thoroughly. It's best to use gloves to do that. Once potatoes are soft add nettles to the pot and boil for 2 more minutes.
- Remove from the heat and carefully blend until smooth.
- Serve garnished with freshly chopped chives.
- Enjoy!
I’ve always wanted to find nettles somewhere…I haven’t yet…one day I’ll get to enjoy them!
I think as with everything, more popular it becomes, more available it will be. Maybe next spring you’ll find wild nettles in supermarkets:)
You made the prettiest green soup I have ever seen! I have never made soup with nettle before. Your creativity is inspiring! And your pictures are stunning xx
Erin, thank you so much for this comment! It was a first time for me too and I loved it:)
Your nettle soup turned out so pretty Hana! I go foraging a bit and I’m always touching random plants hoping they’ll sting me so I know they are nettle, but unfortunately no stings yet, haha. For now I’ll have to try this soup with spinach!
Thank you so much Kyra! Yes, it did turned out well and we all really enjoyed the taste. Definitely making some more soon while I can get my hands on some nettle.
I tried nettle soup once and LOVED it but for some reason, have never got round to making it myself. There is plenty of wild nettle around here so I have no excuse, right? Gorgeous photos :-)
Thank you Aimee. Unfortunately nettle is one of those plants we’re not brought up to eat even though it’s got such a great nutritional value. What a shame to miss out as it’s free and grows pretty much everywhere! I guess it’s never too late to start:)