Nettle & Ground Elder Soup
This is a tasty variety to the original nettle soup. Nettles are very healthy indeed and what way better than to weed your garden and have a free meal in the process?? One note of caution: nettles are quiet easily identified, but make sure you know what you're picking is nettle and ground elder!
A tasty soup for the adventurous! Don’t throw away weeds, eat them!
Preparation
Wash the nettle and ground elder wearing rubber gloves (marigolds).
Melt the butter in a tall pan. Add the chopped onions, (wild) garlic and soften for around 2 minutes.
Add the chopped potatoes and fry for another 2-3 minutes.
Add the nettle and ground elder (still wearing gloves!) and the stock.
Bring to a boil and boil for around 15-20 minutes, the nettle loose their sting when you pour boiling water over them.
Fry the pine nuts in a dry frying pan until slightly browned.
Grate the parmesan cheese.
Add the creme fraiche and puree until you have a smooth, green soup.
Serve with the pine nuts and parmesan on top.
Ground elder was introduced by the Romans as a vegetable, but we kinda lost how tasty it is. I'm always looking forward to spring, when I can start picking fresh 'weeds' from the garden to use in cooking.
Nettle is super healthy, containing high levels of protein (for a vegetable), vitamin A and calcium.
Both nettle and ground elder can have a cleansing effect on the body, especially after a long, dark winter!
Caution: When picking nettles and ground elder be absolutely certain you get the right plant and don't have other weeds in between.