Nothing says spring more loudly than fresh stinging nettles.
Nettle Pesto
I've heard nettles referred to as "the new kale", but I don't agree. Nettles taste better than kale, are easier to cook with but they are harder to handle. Fresh nettles truly do sting if touched. Arm yourself with good gardening and kitchen gloves, tongs and a pot of hot water, though, and you will fall deeper in love with them than ever with kale.
| Prep Time |
| 20minutes |
|
|
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked nettles approximately 5 cups uncooked
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- salt and pepper
Units:
Instructions
- Prepare Nettles: Use heavy kitchen gloves and tongs. Have ready a large pot with approximately two inches of water and lid.
- While wearing kitchen gloves, separate nettle leaves from stems, some small stems can remain. Place leaves in colander and discard stems. Rinse nettle leaves under cool water.
- With tongs, transfer nettle leaves to pot. Bring to boil on medium high heat, then simmer for 5 minutes with lid on. Remove from heat and cool, covered.
- Transfer steamed nettles to colander and allow to drain. Reserve cooking water. This can be diluted then used to water your garden.
- When nettles have drained and cooled, coarsely chop.
- Combine sliced garlic and walnuts in food processor. Process for 5-10 seconds to coarsely chop. Add 1/2 of nettles and process to combine.
- Add remaining 1/2 cup nettles and olive oil. Process about 30 seconds until forms thick sauce, add more olive oil if seems to dry.
- Add parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Process until pesto forms.
- Store in jar adding a thin layer of olive oil on top so pesto will not brown. Can be stored in refrigerator for 2 weeks.
Recipe Notes
*Using organic ingredients whenever possible will make your baked goods all the more nourishing. For this pesto use organic walnuts, garlic, lemons and olive oil if available.
If you cannot or are just not up for growing nettles (and I totally understand), they often are available in spring farmer's markets. I have never purchased fresh online, but I think I would try if I didn't have so much in my garden.
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