Nettle Soup

Hi Seattle,

A Nettle is actually a weed..very prickly.
I buy what are called stinging nettles..deep green like spinach. When there picked young,there sting disappears. I have not seen them in retail stores around here.I buy them from a produce vender.They are quite seasonal...not around for a long time
cc

SeattleDeb,

Thought you might appreciate this information...

"nettles = nettle leaves

Shopping hints: Nettles have long been used in Europe as a substitute for spinach or kale, but they're tricky to use. The tips contain formic acid, a nasty irritant that can give you a serious rash on the outside and cause even more damage on the inside. You can remove the formic acid by cooking and/or soaking the nettles, but don't try this unless you know what you're doing. If you're harvesting your own nettle leaves, select young ones.

Substitutes: escarole OR beet greens OR spinach"

from: http://www.foodsubs.com/Greenckg.html (scroll down)

Hey Nettle lovers:

You will find a recipe for Nettle Soup in the May 2001 ed. of Food and Wine.

;)

The recipe in food and wine suggest substituting the nettles with fresh spinach or a combination of sorrel and parsley.

Basically a potato/spinach soup. Sounds mighty tasty.

Funny, I was talking to one of my farmers this am and they mentioned having alot of nettles on their farm and didn't realize that chef's love um....
I gave them a list of 5 restaurants I knew would go nuts over them.

I'll pass, on the nettles. :D