Stinging Nettles

Stinging Nettle, Urtica dioica is one of the oldest and most well known edible wild greens. This plant was originally cultivated as a nutrient-dense food source in Europe and is believed to have been introduced to N.A. by early settlers. The young leaves and shoots are one of the tastiest pot herbs that I have ever encountered. Nettles are commonly sauteed in butter or added to soups, just be careful handling them prior to cooking as they will cause a rash on unprotected, sensitive skin. Cooking removes all of the sting and leaves you with a texturally pleasant, savory dish that is often compared to spinach on steroids! Nettles are known to treat and prevent several common dietary disorders due to their extremely high levels of vitamins and minerals. Nettles are commonly used in natural medicine and are a great plant-based source of protein.