O Nettle, Where is Thy Sting?

Ever since I was a kid (and especially when I was a kid) I haven't exactly had the fondest view of stinging nettle. I just saw it as this awful little green weed with the power to make my skin burn.

But now this sworn enemy of mine has been conquered. And eaten.

Yup, that's right. I ate stinging nettle today. More like I cooked and ate stinging nettle today.

As part of living in the Green House at DIS we have a weekly dinner that we take turns cooking, and tonight was my turn to be a co-chef. Since we're also part of a vegetable co-cop in Copenhagen, we get 2 bags of fresh veggies from local farmers for making the meal. Every week's an adventure because we end up getting things we never would've imagined having to cook with. Like Jerusalem artichoke. Or celery root. Or... nettle. But what's study abroad for but taking on challenges and growing from new experiences?

So for my next new experience, cooking nettle it was - and cook it we did... into a soup along with those Jerusalem artichokes and some good ol' fashioned potatoes and pureed to perfection. Result? Deliciousness.

I can say one thing for sure: living in the Green House has broadened my horizons and given me more confidence when it comes to cooking unusual vegetables. And conquering childhood enemies.

The Enemy