Editorial note: Nettles are especially good for managing seasonal allergies! For more information about how to manage your seasonal allergies without medication, click HERE. Also, if you’re foraging for wild edibles, always make sure your nettles are not growing in a pesticide- or insecticide-sprayed areas or grown alongside busy roads where exhaust fume levels are high. To avoid getting stung by the nettles, wear gloves and cover your arms while gathering. Once cooked, they lose their sting completely.
Rather than taking a mineral supplement and protein powder, you can get a BIG hit of nutrition by eating stinging nettles.
Considered a weedy invasive plant by the US Forest Service, stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) is highly nutritious with a high protein and amino acid profile that is nutritionally superior to alfalfa, as well as many other plants.
If your bones are feeling achy and in need of some protein and minerals, it’s time to eat some of the weeds that are growing near you (probably in your very own backyard!).
Nettles generally grows in the spring and in the fall. There are many ways to prepare this invasive plant to make it taste totally delicious.
You can dry it and drink it as a tea, or you can saute it with garlic and oil and eat it as you would any dark leafy green.
Originally posted on Andrea Beaman.
Mineral Rich Nettles Pesto
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh nettles or 1 cup dried nettles soaked in 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup parsley rinsed
- 3-4 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 3/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup Lemon juice plus 1 tsp. zest
- 1/2 cup parmesan grated optional
- 1/2 tsp real sea salt
Instructions
- If you are using fresh nettles, blanch quickly in hot salted water. If using dried nettles, soak overnight in room temperature water (or 6-8 hours). Drain excess water.
- Add nettles, parsley, garlic, walnuts, olive oil, lemon juice, parmesan and sea salt.
- Pulse until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the pesto on top of sourdough toast, crackers, fish, chicken, or pasta. Or you can use it as a dip for your next veggie crudite. Any way you decide to eat it, it’ll surely give you the protein and mineral boost you need.