Recipe: Irish nettle soup

Image: wallygrom

Don't get stung with a large bill while making soup, today's handy recipe can be made with naturally sourced ingredients. Okay, terrible puns aside nettle soup is one of those traditional Irish dishes that really piques my interest. I mean, who was the first person to put a nettle in their mouth to see what it tastes like?

It must be delicious because nettle soup has been on the go for centuries now and I know a few people who get a craving for it every now and then. Many thanks to Kris from Irishcoffee.org for this particular recipe.

For most people, nettles are something to be steered clear of at all costs. These stinging plants have the irritating habit of sticking in those unlikely enough to pass by them. Nettles are particularly abundant in Ireland, which can make a hike through the countryside a painful affair. 

But these prickly plants serve many purposes. For a long time they were used in Irish folk medicine due to their high iron content. They also serve a culinary purpose and are used in traditional Irish cuisine in the form of soups. 

The best time to pick nettles for use in Irish foods is in the early spring, as their leaves are tender. This gives them a spinach-like taste. However, if you do decide to pick your own nettles, wear gardening gloves just to be safe.

Ingredients

• 1 oz butter
• 2 oz oatmeal
• 2 pints vegetable stock
• 2 pints nettle tops
• Salt and pepper
• Crusty bread

Image: t_and_cake

Method

1. Melt the butter in a pan and add the oatmeal. Fry until golden.
2. Add the vegetable stock and bring to a boil.
3. Add the nettles and season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer for 40 minutes until tender.
4. Pour the soup into a blender and puree.
5. Serve with crusty bread.