Saturday 22 May 2010

Sting in the tail

This week is National Be Nice to Nettle week.

I'd like to think that in Nettle Land they have a "national be nice to people's skin week", but I'm being silly now.

Anyway, nettles are GOOD FOR YOU and wildlife.

They are nutritious, medicinal and apparently delicious!

Here is pasta covered in nettle pesto :


Nettle Tea of course!

A Nettle Fruit loaf:

They can also be made into fabric - yes this dress is 100% nettle fibre:



And best of all they can be brewed into this:


Charlie says: I prefer catnip!


Have a sting-free Saturday everyone!

22 comments:

Kea said...

Gee, I learn something almost every day from your blog! Who knew there was a national Be Nice To Nettles week? (Even if it's only in the UK!) But really...be nice to nettles? LOL. Very creative!

I'd be willing to try the nettle pesto, tea, loaf and definitely the wine. :-)

Happy Saturday!

P.S. My co-worker gave me some catnip shoots and I'm doing my best to grow them in a large pot. Charlie's welcome to come and have some! (Derry's already been nomming.)

Pip said...

Aww Charlie- why you sniffing that pillow on your face? I hopes you enjoys it!
I promise not to bats any nettles around today.
TK

Brian's Home Blog said...

I hope that you and Charlie have a most wonderful Saturday!

Katnip Lounge said...

We know nothing of nettles. Time for Wikipedia!

Lola Sharp said...

Wow! Who knew? Have you tasted (or worn) any of these nettle goodies?


Happy Weekend! :)
Love,
Lola

Ann Best said...

Beautiful pics!! And I went into the link and learned something new. I guess I've heard of nettles but have never ever really thought about them. Amazing. There's a whole world out there. You share the most interesting things. THANK YOU. But I can see why Charlie would prefer catnip!! It's a stingy subject with him, I suspect (lol).

umi_e said...

Thanks for the info... we don't know about nettle :-S

*have a nice weekends*

lupie said...

Nettle, nettle what are thee?
Me googled you and yet have no ID?

Gosh - I don't know what nettles are?

Charlie, yes, I prefer catnip too! At least it don't make me feel less intelligent!

Theresa Milstein said...

I've never tried nettle. Have you?

Cats make catnip look like way too much fun.

I hope you have a great weekend!

Susan Fields said...

I wasn't sure what a nettle was so I checked out that website. I can't believe there's such a thing as "Be Nice to Nettles Week"! I think I'd rather eat Charlie's catnip. :)

Angie Paxton said...

Odd, I didn't know nettle was in need of niceness. Hate to be a killjoy, but I think I'll stick with cotton for my clothes.

fairyhedgehog said...

Do you think they'll find a use for wasps next?

joanne fox said...

I used nettles in soup once. Can't really remember how it tasted, but obviously I am still alive!

Words A Day said...

Have a few in the back garden, there meant to be full of iron & nurients- have heard of nettle soup and tea, but... how do i go about being kind to one?! A compliment or two??!!

Jacqueline said...

I've never heard of Be nice to Nettles week and not quite sure what it really means, but hey, whatever makes you happy!!...We're with you Charlie, we prefer nip as well...Happy weekend friends...xo...Calle, Halle, Sukki

Talli Roland said...

I'm with Charlie. Nettles - blergh!

They better have a 'be nice to skin week' too! :)

Happy Saturday!

Hannah and Lucy said...

Just googled 'Be nice to nettles' and did the quiz - my result was 2/5 so knew more about them than I thought I did!!

wildcatwoods said...

Nice idea...I have tried nettles for my allergies but...it didn't work. Don't think I will be trying other nettle products but the idea it can be used for fabric is a good one. Great post as always!

carolina mountains

notesfromnadir said...

Nettles are very healthy. They're also used in shampoos for growth & shine. But I didn't know they were a fiber. Then again, I didn't know bamboo could be used in washcloths but a few years ago I bought 1 & loved it.

Hope you get a lotta catnip to keep you busy this weekend, Charlie! :)

Felted House said...

I tried Archie on a fresh catnip seedling yesterday which Newton would have demolished immediately, and he was not interested AT ALL! xx

laughingwolf said...

as a kid, i got stung many times by nettles, and recently tried eating them... pretty tasty!

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Hi Charlie
Well well well....now that's a nettle!

:-)

purrs
>^,,^<
Abby