In Ireland, we’ve always known how to make the most of nature’s riches. And nettle is no exception: the Irish have been using it in their cooking for centuries! It has to be said that this plant grows everywhere like quackgrass and has many natural virtues!
Wild nettle has always grown abundantly in Ireland. That’s why this plant was a great help to Irish farmers during the Great Irish Famine: they used it to feed their livestock (pigs and hens), as well as themselves.
They often used it to make soups, or “Bruisy”, a dish based on mashed potatoes, cereals and nettles. Very nourishing!
To handle and cook it, they wore several woollen socks on their hands to avoid the nettle’s stinging properties. (Nettles no longer sting once cooked).
As well as being a nourishing plant, nettle has the advantage of bringing a certain finesse to dishes. Rich in minerals, nettle has diuretic, draining and anti-fungal properties. During the Middle Ages, it was even said to have magical powers!
Nettle is still cooked in Ireland. You’ll be able to sample nettle soups, pies and purées. The result is astonishingly tasty, to say the least!
