Stinging nettle soup

Yes, stinging nettles! You need to wear gloves when handling fresh stinging nettles, but cooking them inactivates the stinging. Nettles are great for all types of allergic conditions because they have a natural anti-histamine effect. Nettle soup is common in many parts of northern Europe. If you can’t find fresh nettle, you can use any other leafy green vegetable such as kale or spinach.

Serves 2 as an entree

3 large handfuls of fresh nettle leaves, or other leafy greens
1 brown onion, diced
1 medium potato or rutabaga, peeled and diced
2 cloves garlic, finely diced
2 tablespoons finely diced fresh parsley
4 cups vegetable stock
1 tablespoon ghee or olive oil
Sea salt, to taste

Cook the onion and garlic in the ghee or oil until softened. Add all remaining ingredients except the vegetable stock and stir well for 2 minutes.

Add vegetable stock and simmer until all vegetables are soft.

You can either serve the soup chunky, or blend it with a stick blender.