Let’s go wild

Let’s go for a walk

Last weekend I went for a walk with my 2 girls. We enjoyed bouncing the dandelions and running through the tall grass. Chirping birds, all that fresh spring green, what a joy! What we also encountered along the way is a field with young nettles. They look beautiful, but they also inspired some awe. Although they may not look that strong, they can still sting viciously!

Wild picking

It did trigger “wild picking” for me, something I have read and heard a lot about lately and which apparently is now completely ‘hot and happening’. If you search on the wild wide web there are many websites and books that can tell you all about it. In short, it means that you collect edible plants, nuts, berries and mushrooms in nature and then cook a meal with it. This of course with respect for nature. Stinging nettles, for example, are very important for butterflies, they lay their eggs on them.

What could be better than gathering your food yourself and making something delicious out of it? You’re out in nature and it costs almost nothing! Super fun to involve your children too.
I started looking for a recipe for nettle soup and had most of the ingredients at home. I love soup, really comfort food 😊 and making a delicious soup yourself is really not difficult, you can do it too!

Make sure you wear gloves or plastic bags around your hands when picking and processing the nettle leaves until they are actually in your soup pot. 😊

Nettlesoup

The recipe (serves 4):
400 gram young nettle leaves (only the top 6 leaves), washed and cut
2 potatoes, in pieces
1 onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped
Olive oil
1 liter water
2 bouillon cubes
Pepper and salt
Cream and/or pesto to your flavor

Heat the olive oil, add the onion and garlic cook until softened. Add the nettle leaves, potatoes, water and bouillon cubes and cook for 15 minutes.
Puree the soup and add pepper, salt, cream and/or pesto to your flavor.

What are your favorite wild picking recipes?