Eating stinging nettles – rachel.blog (//s0.wp.com) (//widgets.wp.com) (rachel.blog » Feed) (https://rachel.blog/feed/) (rachel.blog » Comments Feed) (https://rachel.blog/comments/feed/) (rachel.blog » Eating stinging nettles Comments Feed) (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/feed/) (/_static/??-eJxtzEkKgDAQRNELGZs4EDfiWUJsxMzYHby+RARB3BQ8KD6cWZgUGSNDKCL7su2RwCJnbdxjCCnVWYtHggO9ZlxFTsQftYaogf+k3x2+4Vv1voRZqrHvpkHJwV5glDTa&cssminify=yes) (/wp-content/plugins/gutenberg-core/v20.6.0/build/block-library/blocks/navigation/style.css?m=1744959081i&cssminify=yes) (/_static/??-eJyNjMEKgzAQBX9Ifdha9CJ+StF1KdFkN7gJ+X0RbM89zjAMSqxJJbEkhFxHnz9ODBunONN+M4Kq4O2EsHil3WDFRT4aMqvw/yHomj0baD40G/tf9BXXcApj27+ej6Hr2247ASkBO20=&cssminify=yes) (/_static/??/wp-content/plugins/gutenberg-core/v20.6.0/build/block-library/common.css,/wp-content/plugins/coblocks/2.18.1-simple-rev.4/dist/coblocks-style.css?m=1744959081j&cssminify=yes) (/_static/??/wp-content/mu-plugins/core-compat/wp-mediaelement.css,/wp-content/mu-plugins/wpcom-bbpress-premium-themes.css?m=1432920480j&cssminify=yes) (/wp-content/mu-plugins/jetpack-mu-wpcom-plugin/moon/jetpack_vendor/automattic/jetpack-mu-wpcom/src/build/verbum-comments/verbum-comments.css?m=1760027108i&cssminify=yes) (https://widgets.wp.com/verbum-block-editor/block-editor.css?ver=1738686361) (/_static/??-eJzTLy/QTc7PK0nNK9HPLdUtyClNz8wr1i9KTcrJTwcy0/WTi5G5ekCujj52Temp+bo5+cmJJZn5eSgc3bScxMwikFb7XFtDE1NLExMLc0OTLACohS2q&cssminify=yes) (/_static/??-eJyNjcEKwjAQRH/IuFRT6kX8FNkmS5K6yQY3Qfx7bfEiXrwM82B4A49qnJRGpUHupnIPqSgs1Cq624chi6zhO5OCRryTR++fW00l7J3qDv43XVNxoOISsmEJol/wY2uR8vs3WggsM/I6uOTzMI3Hw8lOg11eUT1JKA==&cssminify=yes) (RSD) (https://rachelsquirrel.wordpress.com/xmlrpc.php?rsd) (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/) (https://wp.me/p4vWKH-6rf) (https://public-api.wordpress.com/oembed/?format=json&url=https%3A%2F%2Frachel.blog%2F2018%2F04%2F29%2Feating-stinging-nettles%2F&for=wpcom-auto-discovery) (https://public-api.wordpress.com/oembed/?format=xml&url=https%3A%2F%2Frachel.blog%2F2018%2F04%2F29%2Feating-stinging-nettles%2F&for=wpcom-auto-discovery) (https://rachel.blog/?openidserver=1) (https://rachel.blog/) (https://rachel.blog/osd.xml) (rachel.blog) (https://s1.wp.com/opensearch.xml) (WordPress.com) (/wp-content/plugins/gutenberg-core/v20.6.0/build-module/interactivity/index.min.js?m=1744959081i&ver=d9948f13df6155717023) (https://rachel.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cropped-rachel-logo-3.png?w=32) (https://rachel.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cropped-rachel-logo-3.png?w=192) (https://rachel.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cropped-rachel-logo-3.png?w=180) (https://s0.wp.com/?custom-css=1&csblog=4vWKH&cscache=6&csrev=406) (https://fonts-api.wp.com/css?family=Merriweather:r%7CMerriweather:r,i,b,bi&subset=latin,latin-ext,latin,latin-ext) (https://0.gravatar.com/js/hovercards/hovercards.min.css?ver=202545924dcd77a86c6f1d3698ec27fc5da92b28585ddad3ee636c0397cf312193b2a1) (/wp-content/mu-plugins/actionbar/actionbar.css?v=20250116)  Skip to content (https://rachel.blog) rachel.blog         (https://rachel.blog/about/) About    (https://rachel.blog/contact-me/) Contact   (https://rachel.blog/) Home   (https://rachel.blog/recipes/) Recipes             ()   Eating stinging nettles  Spring is here and the nettles are growing again so I decided it was time to make a meal out of them. Most people know that stinging nettles are pesky green plants that irritate the skin when you touch them. What you probably don’t know is that they’re a nutritious source of iron, calcium, potassium, and silica as well as vitamins A, B, C, and K1. Stinging nettles also have anti-inflammatory properties and can (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4708629/) relieve arthritis and rheumatism . They can be turned into soups, curries, and risottos (some recipes (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/mar/30/nettle-recipes-hugh-fearnley-whittingstall) here ) and you can get them completely free from practically everywhere in Britain over the summer. You’ve likely even got some in your garden. When you collect them you need to wear gloves because they sting. The advantage of this is it allows you to make sure you’re collecting the right thing. If you’re unsure, just touch one and see whether it hurts which is exactly what I did. It hurt. (IMG_9534.jpg)  The even look a bit scary with their toothy-edged leaves. (IMG_9529.JPG)  Once you’ve got them inside, boil them in water for a few minutes and this will stop them stinging. (IMG_9535.JPG)  We’re having stinging nettle risotto. (IMG_9537.JPG)  People think that when you become vegan you have to give up lots of food. It’s true that I stopped eating animals but the number of different species I eat has grown considerably. This is because meat-eaters tend to eat the same few species of animals over and over again – pigs, cows, chickens. Whereas there are some 20,000 species of edible plants in the world. Meat also tends to fill you up. Indeed I’ve been to dinner with people where all they have on their plate is a slab of meat and nothing else. Whereas as a vegan (with the exception of a shitty Spanish restaurant that served me a plate of artichokes and nothing else) I eat a huge variety of species. Meat-eaters can eat these too but they often don’t because meat is so filling. Share: (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/?share=twitter&nb=1) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X   (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/?share=linkedin&nb=1) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn   (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/?share=facebook&nb=1) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook   (mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Eating%20stinging%20nettles&body=https%3A%2F%2Frachel.blog%2F2018%2F04%2F29%2Feating-stinging-nettles%2F&share=email&nb=1) Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email   (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/?share=pocket&nb=1) Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket   (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/?share=tumblr&nb=1) Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr   (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/?share=pinterest&nb=1) Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest   (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/?share=jetpack-whatsapp&nb=1) Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp   (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/?share=telegram&nb=1) Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram   (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/#print?share=print&nb=1) Click to print (Opens in new window) Print        Like  Loading…        Posted  April 29, 2018  in  (https://rachel.blog/category/journal/) Journal   by  Rachel M     Tags:  (https://rachel.blog/tag/cooking/) cooking ,  (https://rachel.blog/tag/food/) food ,  (https://rachel.blog/tag/nettles/) nettles ,  (https://rachel.blog/tag/stinging-nettles/) stinging nettles ,  (https://rachel.blog/tag/vegan/) Vegan ,  (https://rachel.blog/tag/vegetarian/) vegetarian ,  (https://rachel.blog/tag/wild-food/) wild food       Comments 14 responses to “Eating stinging nettles” (Gemma Evans Avatar)   (https://stayandroam.blog) Gemma Evans  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/#comment-27648) April 29, 2018    I hear nettle pesto is delicious — although I’ve not tried it yet so don’t take me word for it!  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/?replytocom=27648#respond) Reply    (Rachel M Avatar)   (http://rachel.blog) Rachel M  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/#comment-27649) April 29, 2018    That sounds nice. Nettles are really yummy so I’m sure it’s good.  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/?replytocom=27649#respond) Reply       (cindy knoke Avatar)   (http://cindyknoke.wordpress.com) cindy knoke  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/#comment-27650) April 29, 2018    Wow! Who knew!  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/?replytocom=27650#respond) Reply    (Rachel M Avatar)   (http://rachel.blog) Rachel M  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/#comment-27671) April 30, 2018    Do nettles grow like weeds in the US?  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/?replytocom=27671#respond) Reply       (Keith Wilkinson MBE Avatar)   (http://www.biltonconservationgroup.co.uk) Keith Wilkinson MBE  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/#comment-27657) April 30, 2018    Not tried them yet…have a garden full…what did they taste like?  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/?replytocom=27657#respond) Reply    (Rachel M Avatar)   (http://rachel.blog) Rachel M  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/#comment-27668) April 30, 2018    They taste a bit like spinach. Have you tried nettle tea? You can buy it at the supermarket and it’s really nice and will give you a hint of the flavour.  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/?replytocom=27668#respond) Reply       (Keith Wilkinson MBE Avatar)   (http://www.biltonconservationgroup.co.uk) Keith Wilkinson MBE  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/#comment-27674) April 30, 2018    You’re on……might try it out on my wife first!  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/?replytocom=27674#respond) Reply     (Aleksandra Bodera Avatar)   (http://soakingupthelight.wordpress.com) Aleksandra Bodera  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/#comment-27687) May 2, 2018    > Indeed I’ve been to dinner with people where all they have on their plate is a slab of meat and nothing else.This is so true! I’ve been to dinners where people would have a piece of meat, while I had a HUGE green salad (😉)   (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/?replytocom=27687#respond) Reply    (Rachel M Avatar)   (http://rachel.blog) Rachel M  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/#comment-27691) May 2, 2018    It’s so strange, right? I don’t know how people can not have any vegetables at all. Maybe they haven’t heard the message about the 5 a day (🙂)   (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/?replytocom=27691#respond) Reply       (Denise Avatar)   (http://listenwatchreadshare.wordpress.com) Denise  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/#comment-27898) May 20, 2018    I’m reading a Booker shortlisted book called Elmet and one of the characters doesn’t believe in eating fruit or veg and I’m getting distracted thinking, Really?  How come he and his family aren’t horrendously constipated?  Anyway, I love free, nutritious food, and we were talking about this in our local cafe yesterday, how nutritious nettles are.  Also plastic free!  I will have to go and find some.  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/?replytocom=27898#respond) Reply    (Rachel M Avatar)   (http://rachel.blog) Rachel M  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/#comment-27899) May 20, 2018    Does he eat any plants at all? I’m sure there a people like that in real life. Fibre is apparently a fairly common deficiency in our society. And yeah, I totally agree with the free wild food. It did feel strange at first to go and pick nettles for eating but they’re really nice and so good for you so it’s worth it.  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/?replytocom=27899#respond) Reply         (https://spellngoptional.wordpress.com/2018/08/29/eating-stinging-nettles-rachel/) Eating stinging nettles — Rachel – Enrolling on a Course  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/#comment-29768) August 29, 2018    […] via Eating stinging nettles — Rachel […]  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/?replytocom=29768#respond) Reply     (quicona Avatar)   (http://biohidrogeno.wordpress.com) quicona  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/#comment-210090) November 6, 2025    In England, you don’t need to go to a shitty restaurant to get served mushy peas and nothing else.  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/?replytocom=210090#respond) Reply    (Rachel M Avatar)   (http://rachel.blog) Rachel M  (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/#comment-210091) November 6, 2025    (😂)   (https://rachel.blog/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/comment-page-1/?replytocom=210091#respond) Reply        Leave a comment (/2018/04/29/eating-stinging-nettles/#respond) Cancel reply    (24753) (0) (ccc4f9d737) ()  (83582556f1)  Δ  (1762442857838)        (https://rachel.blog) rachel.blog  (https://wordpress.com/?ref=footer_custom_powered) Website Powered by WordPress.com .                                                             Loading Comments...     Write a Comment... (Write a Comment...)  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