A Family History of Nettle Soup

 I remember my cousin, well – first cousin-once-removed – tell about her grandmother, my great-grandmother, Rebecca Murton making soup from stinging nettles that grew around their property in Duncan, BC. Hazel was only about 10 years old at the time. She remembers it was later in the summer and Grandma Rebecca was telling her that they wouldn’t be picking them this late in the season, laughing because nettles are normally picked in the spring when they are young – later in the summer they are much tougher to pick and you don’t want to eat them.

 

Of course, you have to wear gloves when picking and prepping stinging nettles to make soup. However, cooking takes away the sting and they are actually quite tasty. They have more flavor than spinach and are wonderful steamed, with some butter and maybe a little bit of salt. Or, you can make The Soup.

 

Stinging nettles are rich in minerals, especially calcium and iron, as well as vitamins A and C. They also contain an exceptionally high amount of protein, not typically found in green leafy vegetables. If you are fortunate enough to live close to some nettles or can grow some, why not go for it and “Eat Local.”

 

Hazel, now in her 80’s, is brighter and faster than a lot of people far younger than she is. But she could not remember Grandma Rebecca actually making the soup, so had no recipe for it. There are several web sites and lots of recipes to be found but one site in particular I found to be well worth a good perusal. I may not ever have Grandma Rebecca’s exact recipe, but it’s heart-warming to know that Nettle Soup is still being made by cooks from here to the United Kingdom and back.  

 

I wish you Happy Eating, Long Life and Good Health!

 

Darlene Vorm 

 

Click on this link:  http://www.prodigalgardens.info/april%20weblog.htm