The Savoury Notes of Stinging Nettle

By: Amy Kikuchi

Social Media Coordinator, CYBN 
​Amy has a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Toronto and is passionate about harvesting healthy and delicious plants found around Ontario. Check out her website @ ecpickings for more content!

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Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) is out and thriving!

This plant is a common sight in moist areas, and although they are considered weeds, they are edible, tasty, and healthy. Originally from Europe, this plant is invasive but not as aggressive as other invasive species.

Stinging Nettle has opposite leaves that are serrated and triangular-shaped. They are covered with tiny stinging hairs which can irritate the skin, so make sure to wear gloves when you harvest them! I also use scissors to cut off the top parts of the plant, as the younger leaves are more tender.​

Once you have harvested the leaves, let’s prepare them for eating. Make sure you ​continue to protect your hands from the stinging hairs during this process!⁠

Make sure to protect your hands!

First, wash the nettles in cold water.

Second, decide on a recipe. You can cook the greens like you would spinach, just make sure to cook them long enough to disable the stinging hairs. For example, you can blanch, fry, or steam the nettles.
 
I decided to steam my nettles and top them with butter and salt, a simple and easy way to enjoy the deep flavours of Stinging Nettle.

Not only are nettles delicious, they are also nutritious! They contain: ⁠
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• Vitamin A & Vitamin C⁠
• Calcium & Iron⁠
• Flavonoids & Phenylpropanoids⁠

 
…Just to name a few!
 
Want to try cooking nettles? Check out the recipe I used here.

Steamed nettles with butter and salt.

Happy Foraging!

Disclaimer: Do not consume any wild plant unless you are 100% sure of its identification. Be sure you are picking from non-polluted areas, away from roads, and where no pesticides or other contaminants may have been used. Consult your doctor before consuming wild plants. ⁠