It's nettle time!

[edelC]

always you can get non-stinging nettles, but I don't know about eating them, it'd be wise to get them checked out. Stinging nettles don't grow up to sting, they are pretty vicious babies.

[alwaysinmyroom]

I was so excited to try them as Wulf has done and also the suggestions here for tea! I have a few more places to go search...I am determined to try this!

[edelC]

you can always come and pick them in my garden..I am a lousy gardener so I have tons of them!

[sum1smuma]

Okay I have been everywhere and have not found these yet. I asked my in laws (while they were stealing my dandelions for their dinner)and was told that they had heard about them but have yet to try them. Now that makes me even more determined. That and the reported nutty taste.

[Wulf]

There are non-stinging nettles (appropriately named "Dead Nettles") but I don't know for sure that they're edible either. I'm sure they won't harm you, but that doesn't mean they're good-tasting.

Wulf

[castlesinthesky]

I love this post! Wild edible plants are everywhere, they are delicious, and they are higher in nutrients than cultivated veggies. Ever eaten chickweed and lamb's quarters? My three-year old wouldn't touch a salad on her plate, but now she thinks it's great fun to eat chickweed by the handful!  I'll be sure to cook her nettles though!

[Wulf]

Chickweed is delicious! Most people only like it cooked, but I'm with your daughter: I like to nibble it raw. Very juicy and "green" tasting. Another common yard weed that's tasty in its own way is purslane. A bit lemony, like sorrel. I even saw bunches of it for sale at a local farmers' market last year!

Wulf

[alwaysinmyroom]

now those, I have plenty of! Just looked up chickweed--plenty of those as well...and lamb's quarters--wow--I have a whole salad growing in my yard!  still hunting nettles...

[SunflowerSmiles]

So I want to make sure I understand correctly cause sometimes I interpret things to my own liking .......

you need to pick nettles when their just little to eat them?  We don't have any around where we live, but hiking we see them all the time. How old would they be or maybe I should say how high that they've grown that they would not be edible?

I really want to dry some for tea...any suggestions on drying and how long? And do they need to be 'young' for tea as well?

I looked up chickweed as well and it has a lot of healing properties! but there is one that looks similar and is poisonous....my luck I would get that one.  I so want to try foraging for food.

[morph]

aside from great quiche ,tea and plant feed nettles make an...interesting beer as well. ill try and hunt out the recipe and post it if i can