In the first few deliveries in the springtime, you will receive fresh nettles in your basket. They are an excellent source of iron and vitamins A, B2, C and K. This makes gives our immune system a real boost, and is especially recommended for women due to its rich iron content. But when we receive so much at the beginning of the season, it tests our creativity to use them effectively!
Nettles have a lot of uses, in addition to the cream of nettles soup recipe, below we have listed other options that you may not have even thought about:
- Freeze them: Nettles can be kept in the freezer for the months when we no longer find them on the market – wash them well, well, then scald them in boiling water for 1 minute, after they have cooled put them in the freezer to use in a creamy soup or other dish, long after they are out of season.
- Nettle and Walnut Pesto: You can make delicious Pesto! (scalded nettles, crushed walnuts, parmesan and olive oil). You can keep the Pesto in jars in your pantry for months if the jars are well sterilized beforehand.
- Nettle Tea: You can dry your nettles to make a delicious and nutritious herbal tea. Besides the concentrated iron content in dried nettles, it is also said to be beneficial in lowering blood pressure.
- “Compost Tea” Fertilizer: A very good fertilizer for plants in the garden and even those in pots in the house. It is a rich source of nitrogen with a very beneficial role for plants. Put the nettles in a bucket, cover with water, and leave to soak until the “tea” is black and a bit stinky – then it’s just right for your plants!