So what has actually been happening in my garden? Besides the weeds, there has been plenty that has self-seeded. Open pollinated seeds are wonderful things. With absolute neglect and chicken invasion (we moved the coop, and it is STILL not secure), we have plenty of silver beet, mustard, carrots, onions, dill, leeks, lettuces, wheat, oats, marigolds and parsnips growing. And that is just what I can see at a glance. I'm not really game to get out there and hunt around too much, otherwise the chickens will follow behind and dig up all the goodies.
We also have masses of stinging nettles. These are great to dig back into the garden as a green manure, but I prefer to eat them. Most people look at me like I'm a martian when I mention that stinging nettles are one of my favourite vegetables. The first obvious question is: "Doesn't it sting when you eat it?"
No, stinging nettles don't sting when you eat them, but that is only after it has been plunged into boiling water. Both this and vinegar neutralise the sting. Of course, picking it and preparing it is quite a treacherous path. I once picked nettles while wearing those thin latex gloves - even through two pairs, you will get stung! I had to soak my hands in vinegar, rather than the usual quick wipe over. To pick nettles you need thick rubber gloves. The ones you buy to wash dishes with are perfect.
So what do you do with the nettles, once they are picked? Besides washing them thoroughly, they can be cooked and used in place of spinach or silver beet. The flavour is far superior to either of these greens. My favourite recipe is a greek one that involves homemade filo, fetta, onions, dill and nettles. You mix up everything and roll it up in the filo. It is then baked in the oven and eaten warm - YUMMO!
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2 comments:
I never thought about eating stinging nettles. If I ever grow them, I'll give them a try!
The problem in our part of the world, plant-wise, is gorse. I don't even want to consider eating that, although apparently you can make wine out of the flowers.
My little potted garden is doing well, and I keep on adding to it, but it is too cold to really get out and get busy. I can't wait for summer to get happening properly - we had enough of a warm weather snippet for a few weeks to make us want it back more than ever now the weather has turned nasty and cold again :-(
Take care, ad I hope your garden grows well, with plenty of sun and rain, in precisely the right amounts!
We don't seem to have gorse around here, but stinging nettles are just beautiful! If you can get past the stinging part, of course ;-D
I am so over heat (even though we have just had winter), I wish for just pleasant days and rain, lots of rain. Enough to fill our dams - to half way at least :-D
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