Stinging nettle soup

The first nettle shoots and the very tender new leaves are great in many different dishes. This hearty soup can be made without bacon if you want a vegetarian version. Simply replace bacon with a little butter or oil to sweat the vegetables in.

Cooking the nettles in any way will disarm the sting. Use a cloth or a glove when picking the leaves, and choose small new leaves for your cooking. Wash the leaves thoroughly before chopping them up.

This recipe also has fresh ramsons, which is a spring herb. You can leave out fresh ramsons or replace it with dried ramsons.

Procedure

Cook the bacon in a heavy bottom cooking pot until it turns golden. Add onion and garlic and cook until clear. Then add the root vegetables, thyme, ramsons, nettles and stir. Cover the pot and let it sweat for about 10 min., stirring occasionally.

Pour in the water/stock and bring it to a simmer. Cover and let it cook about 45 min. until the vegetables are tender. Season to taste and serve hot.

Ingredients

4 persons
  • A good handful of bacon, diced
  • 1-2 onions, finely chopped
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 parsnip, diced
  • 1 carrot, diced
  • 0,5 celeriac, diced
  • 1 handful ramsons, chopped
  • 4 sprigs thyme, chopped
  • 1 litre fresh nettle shoots, chopped
  • 1500 ml water or stock
  • Salt

Go vegetarian: leave out the bacon and cook the onion and veg in a little butter or oil instead.