Be Nice to Nettles Week

“Stingers are a vital part of growing up, giving us one of the most painful early memories of close contact with nature.

It is much later in life that most of us realise just how valuable they are, especially for some of our most beautiful wild creatures.

Without stinging nettles, peacock, small tortoiseshell and red admiral butterflies would have nowhere to lay their eggs, so do please find a space for nettles somewhere in your neighbourhood.”

Professor Chris Baines
Environmentalist and Broadcaster

Lady Ridley's Nettle Soup

Why not try Lady Ridley's nettle soup recipe? Let us know what you think or tell us your own favourite nettle recipe.

Ingredients:

1 lb potatoes
½ lb young nettles
2 oz butter
1½ pts chicken or vegetable stock
sea salt & black pepper
4 tablespoons sour cream

Method:

Cook the peeled, chopped potatoes for 10 mins in salted water. Drain.

Wash & chop coarsely the nettles (Only pick the new, young tops,using gloves!)

Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the nettles and stew gently for a few minutes. Add the potatoes and heated stock, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes or until tender.

When all is soft, cool slightly & purée in a blender, adding seasoning and the sour cream.

I hope you enjoy the nettle soup. The hardest work is picking the nettles. Half a pound is a lot of small leaves, but it is fun to do, in season, once a year.
THE VISCOUNTESS RIDLEY

Nettle Lore

Nettle Week