Homemade Stinging Nettle Pasta Food

PASTA WITH STINGING NETTLES

Steps:

• Toast walnuts in a small skillet over medium heat until lightly browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain.
• Wearing dish gloves or disposable gloves, rinse nettles under running water to remove any dust or dirt. Cut off all the thick main stems.
• Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Drop nettles into the boiling water and cook, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse immediately under cold water, then drain again. Squeeze nettles gently to remove some of the excess water; they can be a little bit wet. Transfer nettles to a cutting board and chop.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a small skillet. Add garlic and cook until fragrant and translucent, without browning, 1 to 2 minutes. Add chopped nettles and cook, stirring, until heated through. Drizzle with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and mix in remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Toss with pasta and serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

PASTA WITH CREAMY STINGING NETTLE SAUCE

Steps:

• Pick the nettles using gloves.
• Remove the stems and blanche the leaves in boiling salted water for one minute.
• Drain and rough chop.
• Cook the pasta.
• Heat the cream in a large saute pan. Once it simmers add the nettles and reduce the misture by half.
• Drain your pasta and put into a big dish and add the Nettle Cream sauce. Add grated nutmeg, cheese and seasonings. Give it a toss and serve hot.
• Bon Appetit!

STINGING NETTLE PESTO

Steps:

• Steam the nettle.
• Once that is done remove from the steamer and let sit for a few minutes to drain.
• Put the steamed nettle into the food processor and add all the other ingredients except the olive oil. Turn on the machine and process then slowly add the olive oil in a small stream into the ingredients until used up.
• You should have a nice smooth sauce when done.
• Mix over your favourite hot pasta and add a little more cheese if desired.
• Enjoy with a glass of chilled wine and garlic bread.
• Bon Appetit.