If there is one edible wild weed that anyone can identify it has to be the notorious stinger. But before you rush out to collect the fresh, iron-rich, leaves that March has to offer, follow my 'Careful Collection Criteria':
1. Go out now, don't wait for spring to be over and for the nettles to flower. Once this happens the plant begins to produce microscopic crystoliths in the leaves which if ingested can interfere with kidney function...
2. Unless you like the taste of dog crap, choose your foraging spot wisely. Stray a little from the path but be vigilant for treacherous ankle stingers, which brings me swiftly on to point 3...
3. Wear protection! Sandals and shorts would be a bit... rash... but forgetting a pair of suitable gloves would be shear madness. A bright yellow pair of marigolds is my favoured armour but I'm sure the pink variety would do the trick too.
4. Take a friend to help.
5. MY MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE - Subtly get your friend to pick the first leaves in order to test the worthiness of your gloves.
6. Double bag your bounty to avoid a sting in the back on the way home.
7. Thoroughly rinse your perilous prize. Especially if you're a vegetarian as there are often little bugs hiding away in amongst your collection.
8. Find a decent recipe such as nettle soup, nettle ravioli or nettle and wild garlic (see previous post) risotto and show off your culinary skills to those brave enough to sample both stinging nettles and your cooking.
1. Go out now, don't wait for spring to be over and for the nettles to flower. Once this happens the plant begins to produce microscopic crystoliths in the leaves which if ingested can interfere with kidney function...
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| The author glamorously picking too close to the path. |
3. Wear protection! Sandals and shorts would be a bit... rash... but forgetting a pair of suitable gloves would be shear madness. A bright yellow pair of marigolds is my favoured armour but I'm sure the pink variety would do the trick too.4. Take a friend to help.
5. MY MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE - Subtly get your friend to pick the first leaves in order to test the worthiness of your gloves.
6. Double bag your bounty to avoid a sting in the back on the way home.7. Thoroughly rinse your perilous prize. Especially if you're a vegetarian as there are often little bugs hiding away in amongst your collection.
8. Find a decent recipe such as nettle soup, nettle ravioli or nettle and wild garlic (see previous post) risotto and show off your culinary skills to those brave enough to sample both stinging nettles and your cooking.
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