Nettles, these nutrient-rich plants with a unique taste, are a delicacy prepared with great care. The first step is to wash them carefully in several waters to ensure that no impurities or insects remain. After the nettles are clean, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes until they become soft and change color. This process not only removes the spines and bitterness but also retains a good portion of the nutrients. Once you have removed them from the water, let them drain well and cool down so they can be handled more easily.
While the nettles are cooling, you can take care of the onion. Peel the onion, wash it well, and chop it finely. Put a pan on the heat and add a little oil, then add the chopped onion along with a tablespoon of water to help it steam. Cook the onion over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it becomes golden and transparent, releasing its enticing aroma. Then, add the chopped nettles along with a cup of the water in which they were blanched. Also, add two cups of water and a little salt to enhance the flavor of the dish.
After the nettles have cooked with the onion, prepare a mixture that you will add to thicken the dish. In a bowl, mix a tablespoon of flour with two tablespoons of cornmeal, gradually adding water until you obtain a homogeneous composition with a consistency similar to yogurt. This mixture will be gradually added to the nettles, continuously stirring to avoid lumps. Keep stirring until the cornmeal is well cooked and the dish changes texture, becoming thicker.
Finally, don’t forget to add the garlic, which you have peeled, washed, and sliced thinly, to intensify the flavor of the dish. Also, add freshly chopped lovage, which will give the dish an unmistakable fragrance. This mixture will transform a simple dish into an unforgettable culinary experience, full of flavor and vitamins. Serve the dish hot, alongside steaming polenta or fresh bread, to fully enjoy the unmistakable taste of nettles.
While the nettles are cooling, you can take care of the onion. Peel the onion, wash it well, and chop it finely. Put a pan on the heat and add a little oil, then add the chopped onion along with a tablespoon of water to help it steam. Cook the onion over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it becomes golden and transparent, releasing its enticing aroma. Then, add the chopped nettles along with a cup of the water in which they were blanched. Also, add two cups of water and a little salt to enhance the flavor of the dish.
After the nettles have cooked with the onion, prepare a mixture that you will add to thicken the dish. In a bowl, mix a tablespoon of flour with two tablespoons of cornmeal, gradually adding water until you obtain a homogeneous composition with a consistency similar to yogurt. This mixture will be gradually added to the nettles, continuously stirring to avoid lumps. Keep stirring until the cornmeal is well cooked and the dish changes texture, becoming thicker.
Finally, don’t forget to add the garlic, which you have peeled, washed, and sliced thinly, to intensify the flavor of the dish. Also, add freshly chopped lovage, which will give the dish an unmistakable fragrance. This mixture will transform a simple dish into an unforgettable culinary experience, full of flavor and vitamins. Serve the dish hot, alongside steaming polenta or fresh bread, to fully enjoy the unmistakable taste of nettles.
Ingredients
250 g young, fresh nettles; water; 4-5 tablespoons of oil; one onion; salt; one tablespoon of flour; two tablespoons of cornmeal; 4-5 cloves of garlic; a handful of chopped lovage, from the freezer.