This green powerhouse is absolutely rewarding to our health
Nettle is an absolutely super healthy and a super delicious herb. Whether you make a nettle tea or nettle pesto, this herb will just amaze you with its versatile ability to fit into all forms of delicacies. I created this recipe in order to incorporate more nettle into my diet, as I really need all the precious minerals and vitamins that my body crave for.
It is spring here in April, and the nettle has started to grow everywhere. It is so soothing to the mind and body to walk into the quiet nature and plucking the fresh nettle to make them into a nourishing food. Nettle has a ton of health benefits and you can read about them here.
NOW LET'S JUMP INTO RECIPE:
Ingredient:
5 cups fresh nettle (only leaves)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (roasted)
Juice from a medium size half lemon
1/2 tsp black pepper powder
4 cloves of garlic
5 tbs of olive oil
Pink Himalayan salt
Additional ingredients for sprinkling :
1 handful of sun dried tomatoes (chopped)
Lets get started!
Word of caution! Nettle herb is covered with tiny fine hairs that can sting your skin and cause a burning sensation. Therefore always wear gloves when working with nettle plant.
Cut nettle leaves with a scissor and don't forget to wear a glove to avoid getting stung.
Rinse the nettle leaves with clean water.
Blanch the nettle leaves in a simmering hot water for about 3 minutes. Add some salt into the water for this will enhance the green pigments in the leaves.
Strain the nettle leaves and place in a plate to cool down before adding into the mixer.
You can use the left over water from blanching the nettle leaves to cook the Spaghetti noodles. Once blanching the nettles in the water, it becomes a tasty and nutritious nettle tea. Since you already add salt here, you can't drink this as tea but can use it to cook noodles or rice.
Roast the sunflower seeds in a pan till golden brown. Use slow heat to avoid burning the seeds.
Mix all ingredients together with olive oil and blend well till it becomes a paste.
Enjoy the nettle pesto with your choice of spaghetti. Sprinkle with some chopped sun dried tomatoes on top to add more taste.
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