The Poultry Keeper

Lisa · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:14 pm Post subject: Nettle beer anyone?

Was looking for something else on the River Cottage site and found a recipe for Nettle Beer Shocked

http://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/recipe.jsp?ref=recipes.200504041459

Okay, so its not got any eggs or chickens in it, but given my chickens won't eat the damn nettles in their run, I need something else to do with them Rolling Eyes

Knobby · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:14 pm Post subject:

Did you see the nettle eating contest ?

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

nettle soup ?

Bhindi · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:23 pm Post subject:

gardening before I had chickens, i used to put nettles in a bucket and add water and eventually you get a great fertiliser, I think its high in nitrogen. But I can assure you it was high it stunk Shocked

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I don't think I'll be gooing for that one then ~ I'll just leave nettle corner to the wild life, butterflies and such

jaydee67 · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:32 pm Post subject:

I had a red admiral hatch out on my nettles last year! Up here that is a big thing! The nettles can stay again this year coz they are in what was my veg patch but I have given it to the hens.

bird_babe · Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 473 Location: wales

jaydee do your hens eat nettles mine hate them . they eat every thing in site except them Question

CP · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:53 pm Post subject:

Nettle soup is really nice. Smile

Never made nettle beer, but nettles cook just like spinach & taste good - full of vitamins! (as long as you collect them where dogs haven't peed on them! Embarassed

lol)

You can even eat them raw.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

don't they sting your mouth when they're raw?

CP · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 10:03 pm Post subject:

Aha! I was waiting for that question. There is a technique to it. You have to pick them quick & pinch them so they don't sting, then roll them between your fingers. Then you can eat them. Nice little snack!

I must say though, I prefer them cooked, but my OH will eat them raw.

jaydee67 · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 10:41 pm Post subject:

The young nettles - about 2 inches tall - are the only green things in with the hens. I know someone who had a hen that every year made a nest in the nettles - must have known no one was going in after the eggs! lol!

Lisa · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 10:45 pm Post subject:

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

mine too, I think if it's gone soft then it can't sting. I'd still be a little suspicious at first, but I believe it's supposed to taste very nice. Or what about a nettle sandwich, again that's supposed to just benew leaf between 2 pieces of bread.....no, not brave enough!

jaydee67 · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:47 am Post subject:

I think I'll let you try that for me!