Stinging Nettles, do you have them, do you eat them, do you use them?

[SCinPNW]

We have lots of Stinging Nettles all around us and up until this year I have always looked on them as an annoyance. I have always known that they were edible, but was not really interested in exploring how useful they might be. Well as I continue to learn and grow in the ways of preparedness and self-sustainable living it became time to learn more about my abundant neighbor.

Here are some links I found related to Stinging Nettles:

http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Nettle.html

http://www.learningherbs.com/nettles.html

http://thefarmersfeast.me/2011/03/28/stinging-nettles/

I also ordered a book called 101 Uses for Stinging Nettles, unfortunately it has not arrived as of yet. But from the little bit of reading I have done online and in one of my foraging books I have learned:

- They are highly nutritious with lots of vitamin C, vitamin A, and many different minerals, as well as, protein.
- The stalk fiber can be used to make clothing, baskets, and many other things.
- It also has many medicinal uses, most of which I am have yet to learn about.

Just this morning I harvested my first bunch of nettles. I have boiled a small bunch, sampled a leaf which was fine, nothing to write home about but not bad tasting. I have found a few recipes online that I am planning on trying. The other thing that people like to make is tea. I am currently sipping on some nettle tea with a little honey. It has a very mellow flavor but is rather tasty.

Have you tried nettles? I love the fact that they grow wild around here and that they are so useful. One of my goals this year is to learn as much as I can about the local edible plants so that I can start to take advantage of them.

I look foward to hearing your experience with Stinging Nettles.

SC

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I did 2 posts that covered them

https://www.survivalandpreparednessforum.com/showthread.php?2125-Thistle-and-Firestarting&highlight=stinging

https://www.survivalandpreparednessforum.com/showthread.php?2160-Survival-Sewing&highlight=sewing

I have eaten them but like alot of plants there's a reason they aint in the grocery store LOL

[SCinPNW]

Thanks for the links, I missed them when doing a search.

Yes, good point about there being a reason they are not in the grocery store. :)

SC

[EX121]

I've eaten them mand find that like dndelions the ones growing in the shade are better. I can't remember where I read it but, I read abot nettles being used for making cloth, just like linen.

[goatlady]

I use then when available just like lightly cooked spinach in omlets and slightly cooked with butter, a pinch of sugar, salt and pepper. The goats love them in the spring. Same with lambs quarters but that can be eaten raw in a salad also or used like lettuce in a sandwich.