Irish Nettle Soup

Description

Dried nettle leaves, when crushed and steeped in water, make tea. Fresh nettle leaves, after being boiled several times, are good spinach substitutes.

Irish Nettle Soup

Ingredients

• 1 pint young nettle tops
• 1 oz butter
• 1 oz oatmeal
• 10 oz water, stock or milk
• salt and pepper

Procedures

Wear rubber gloves when you wash young nettle tops in cold water. Do this several times. Chop nettle tops finely. In a saucepan, melt butter. Add oatmeal and fry until golden brown. Add water, stock or milk. Bring mixture to a boil. Stir constantly. Add chopped nettle tops, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil then simmer for 45 minutes over low heat. Serves 4.