Spring Nettle Recipe

By NIKKI FLECK

One of my favorite parts of spring is enjoying fresh, nutrient dense nettles. They seem intimidating and uninviting because when raw, they sting! It is wise to wear gloves when harvesting and destemming, but once exposed to heat through cooking the “stingers” melt away and you’re left with tasty, nutritive greens to enjoy. Nettles are rich in iron, vitamin A, calcium, potassium and magnesium. Nettles are commonly used for supporting lactation, kidney health, iron deficiency, allergies as well as joint pain. You or your neighbors may have a patch of nettles in your yard without even knowing it. They can also be found wild in nature throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding areas in the spring and summer. Most coops sell them in the spring as well. If you cannot find nettles or do not want to purchase them, spinach, collards or any dark leafy green are delicious substitutions for this recipe.

5 large eggs
½ cup of goats cheese
½ cup red bell pepper
2 cups of raw nettles, spinach or chard
¼ tsp Cumin
1/2 tsp Coriander
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 yellow onion sliced
3 cloves garlic minced
Optional: freshly chopped spring chives or cilantro

-Preheat oven to 350º.… Read the rest “Spring Nettle Recipe”