Stinging Nettle & Walnut Pesto

Name: Stinging Nettle & Walnut Pesto
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1/2 Cup Blanched Stinging Nettle Leaves (water squeezed out (about 4 cups before blanching)); 5 Cloves Garlic ((Large)); 2/3 Cup Walnuts; 1 Cup Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese; 3/4 Cup Olive Oil; Salt and Pepper (about 1/4 teaspoon each)

This Stinging Nettle & Walnut Pesto taste so amazing, you would never know it’s not my Fresh Basil Pesto. Best part is the Stinging Nettles are free and right there in my back yard. I love foraging and finding things I can eat from the forest – especially the stuff that I can’t even buy from the store. I find a lot of Chanterelles in the summer and make so many delicious things with them. Most start with a Chanterelle Duxelles and build from there.

How to Identify Stinging Nettles?

You definitely want to make sure that you are foraging Stinging Nettles and not a look-a-like plant or anything else you happen to be foraging. Always do your research. Here’s a link that might be helpful in identifying Stinging Nettles.

Will They Really Sting?

Yes, they really will sting and you will cuss like the dickens when it happens, so wear gloves. You won’t die. You’ll just be injected with some folic acid and the pain will go away soon. Embarrassing story… I harvested quite a lot last year, then at the end of the day, my hubby and I sat next to our fire pit at the edge of the woods. I saw a couple of weeds sprouting up in front of the fire pit, so I plucked them out. This is where I started cussing because they were stinging nettles. How the hell did I do that after foraging for them just earlier that day? Oh the shame. My husband could not resist laughing at me and who could blame him.

Are there Health Benefits of Eating Stinging Nettles?

Yes, like so many other things we can find in nature, there are many benefits to eating Stinging Nettles. . Here’s a list of just some of the health benefits of eating stinging nettles: Anti-inflammatory, Treats Respiratory Issues, Strengthens Bones, Prevents Kidney Stones, Improves Circulation, Protects Heart Health, Improves Prostate Health and so much more. Follow this link to learn more.

Can I Eat Stinging Nettles All Year?

I only harvest them in the spring and I only take about the top six to eight leaves. I could tell you more, but this article by Rachel Lambert pretty much tells you what you need to know.

Stinging nettle pesto spread onto two small slices of pretzel bread, sitting on a small bamboo cutting board. — I love it slathered on any type of bread, but this time it was pretzel bread. YUM!

How Many Ways Can I Eat Pesto?

As many as you can come up with. I love it smeared onto a nice warm slice a rustic bread, use it as a sauce for pasta, slathered onto salmon and baked, or you can use it as a condiment when making your favorite wrap or sandwich or as the sauce for a shrimp and pesto pizza. There must be a million ways to eat it besides right out of the bowl. LOL

Step by Step Instructions

Clean and trim stinging nettle leaves. I like to use a salad spinner so I can dump the leaves right into a pot of boiling water. Use a non-reactive pan* or your leaves will turn black. (see note), Get a pot of water boiling and blanch leaves for 1-2 minutes. They are now safe to handle without being stung.

Drain leaves. When cool enough to handle, wrap leaves in a paper towel and squeeze out excess water.

Grate your cheese if you if it is not already pre-grated.

Stinging nettle leaves, garlic cloves, salt and pepper in a food processor. And a nutcracker who looks like a chef in the foreground. — I’m making a double batch in this photo in case you wondered why there was so much garlic. 🙂

Put the blanched stinging nettle leaves, garlic, salt and pepper into a food processor and mix. Scrape the sides, add walnuts, cheese and about 1/2 cup of oil and mix some more. Taste.