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Post by Voxxkowalski on Jun 4, 2016 6:58:09 GMT -5
I always wondered how one eats nettles without stinging the heck out of their tongue?
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Post by jen51 on Jun 4, 2016 8:02:49 GMT -5
Purslane and lambs quarter are wonderful! I don't like lambs quarter when it gets big though. Did you know that you can eat plantain as well? It's good in salads, but you should definately get them when they're young. They get pretty bitter when the leaves get bigger. Same with dandelion leaves- excellent in a salad when young. The delicate little violets that pop up in spring are edible too (the flower) and they make such a pretty addition to the dinner plate! Guests love it. I have a couple wild edible field guides that I access quite frequently. If you're interested in this kind of thing, I think you'd really enjoy a field guide! Ah, a kindred spirit!!!  I ate nettles for the first time this year; they were delicious! Next year I envision pots of separate plants on the deck to stay clean (no grass clippings from the mower) and isolated. I want to find a book about edible plants but I am going to look to find one that includes wild mushrooms, as they have many micornutrients that we are lacking in our diets. They really are delicious! How did you cook them? My favorite so far has been nettle soup. I have a seperate field guide for mushrooms. There are SO many kinds- they are in a league of their own! |
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Post by jen51 on Jun 4, 2016 8:03:49 GMT -5
Voxx- heat will deactivate the stingers.
I also hear that blending them will, like in a smoothie. I've not tried that one yet. Too scared.
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Post by mundacormeum on Jun 4, 2016 9:34:27 GMT -5
I never knew such a field gudie existed, or that certai weeds were edible/useful....so cool! Makes me want to get that book. Do you recommend a particular one, jen?
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Post by jen51 on Jun 4, 2016 18:01:44 GMT -5
I'll see if I can locate them, Munda. I've had several over the years, and either leave them somewhere or loan them out and never get them back.
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Post by Marya Dabrowski on Jun 4, 2016 19:14:46 GMT -5
Ah, a kindred spirit!!! I ate nettles for the first time this year; they were delicious! Next year I envision pots of separate plants on the deck to stay clean (no grass clippings from the mower) and isolated. I want to find a book about edible plants but I am going to look to find one that includes wild mushrooms, as they have many micornutrients that we are lacking in our diets. They really are delicious! How did you cook them? My favorite so far has been nettle soup. I have a seperate field guide for mushrooms. There are SO many kinds- they are in a league of their own! I sauted them with onions in butter then poured scrambled eggs in to fry and ate them in a burrito. I think they're better than spinach. |
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Post by Voxxkowalski on Jun 4, 2016 19:56:16 GMT -5
but they sting so bad...what happens to the venom? |
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Post by Marya Dabrowski on Jun 4, 2016 21:21:56 GMT -5
but they sting so bad...what happens to the venom? Not sure. I've heard when you boil or steam them (like spinach) the stingers "fall off." I imagine they actually wilt. |
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Post by Voxxkowalski on Jun 4, 2016 21:34:03 GMT -5
So the stingers are just barbs that cause irritation...not inject chemicals that irritate? |
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Post by Marya Dabrowski on Jun 6, 2016 6:54:18 GMT -5
So the stingers are just barbs that cause irritation...not inject chemicals that irritate? once again, I'm not sure; perhaps it is a combination of both. I should warn you though, it is the young, short, tender plants you eat, not the tall, woody ones. |
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Post by jen51 on Jun 6, 2016 10:46:29 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure that the hairs on the stinging nettle have various chemicals in them that give the stinging/burning/itchy sensation.
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Post by Voxxkowalski on Jun 6, 2016 15:04:58 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure that the hairs on the stinging nettle have various chemicals in them that give the stinging/burning/itchy sensation. Its the same as fire Ants venom. |
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I ate nettles for the first time this year; they were delicious! Next year I envision pots of separate plants on the deck to stay clean (no grass clippings from the mower) and isolated. I want to find a book about edible plants but I am going to look to find one that includes wild mushrooms, as they have many micornutrients that we are lacking in our diets. 