Selfsufficientish.com

Hi ho,

When I lived at home we had a nettle patch in the enclosed garden so I could pick nettles for cooking and be sure foxes and dogs had wee-ed on them.

I don't have a garden now so when I'm foraging on the heath how do I pick the cleanest? Does it matter if I'm washing them well?

Thanks

I'd just wash them well... whos to say what has or hasn't 'been' on anything in the wild...

You could always make sure you pick them after it has been raining... natures way of washing

If you're going to be cooking with them, I don't think it'll be too much of a problem just to settle for a quick rinse. I must admit to nibbling the top few leaves raw when I'm out and about (you have to roll them between your fingers to break the stings), they have a neally nice, slightly nutty flavour.

What are you using them for?

I ate them very often for a long time, but after a few years of it they made me a bit incontinent. This often happens with wild plants. In nature, you're expected to pay for what you eat, and some plants have evolved diuretic or aperient properties or both to ensure that they get their payment in high nitrogen fertiliser from any animal (and that includes humans). The domesticated plants have evolved (been bred) not to do this - they are usually well supplied with good manure and don't need that strategy any more.
Just a warning - and I was using mature plants on indifferent, so you might be safe with very young ones growing in rich soil. And yes, they're delicious as a green vegetable!!
wyverne

They get curried as a spinach substitute. Nice with bombay potatoes.

Hmmm... sounds good!

so you might be safe with very young ones growing in rich soil.

This time of year (March) it's dead easy to find young nettles but I tend to go for just the tops when they get a bit older. I've not had a diuretic effect from eating them perhaps I've got that to come

Only one way to find out...

Dug out this recipe for someone on another forum and thought it might appeal to nettle lovers here too: http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aID/599178/

I'm a huge nettle fan and haven't really had any problems. If I pick them anywhere other than our own bit of land I just don't pick the ones next to the ground by the paths.

I always need to eat so little when eating nettles as I feel full to the brim so quickly. I suspect that it has something to do with the fact that they are jam packed full of helpful nutrients.

Good luck

Hedgehogpie wrote:Only one way to find out...

Dug out this recipe for someone on another forum and thought it might appeal to nettle lovers here too: http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aID/599178/

Thanks for that ... its one I haven't come across before...

always been told only pick leaves higher than a dogs back leg

JamesnKate wrote:always been told only pick leaves higher than a dogs back leg

thats a good tip! also avoid picking where sheep are kept.. or you will find fine strands of wool on your haul when you get back to the kitchen.... guess how I found out!

welcome to the forum