Stinging Nettles Need a New Name!
Belonging to a CSA is an incredible experience. You gain exposure to produce that you might normally never buy – and certainly would never find at your local market. I’ve posted here about CSA biodynamic and organic treasures such as Jerusalem artichokes, persimmons, celeriac, black radish, salsify, purple top turnips, passionfruit, kabocha squash and sweet white turnips.
But sometimes, trying to expose a kindergartner to nature’s bounty has its challenges.
Just imagine you were 5-years-old. Would you eat stinging nettles? You’d have to be brave, wouldn’t you? After all, “stinging nettles” sound like scary creatures from Harry Potter! They might sting your tongue, don’t you think? And in fact, they really do sting before they are cooked. You saw this warning sign with your own eyes.
But after nettles are sautéed in olive oil with leeks and onions, they are quite delicious, thank you very much. Try telling that to a skeptical boy, eyeing you and the stinging nettles warily!
Fortunately, this kid is well aware of Organic Kid Marketing. So Mom tried to explain that since the stinging nettles come directly from a farm to the CSA, they haven’t been marketed and packaged properly by Organic Kid Marketers. Perhaps he had some ideas?
Yes! Organic Cobra Stinging Nettles, packaged with free stickers of cobras and drawings of cobras all over the box.
Great idea! Cobras are way cool! We love cobras!
Just imagine these nettles came in that cool cobra box. Now eat your nettles!
Not a chance….
Sigh…
Check out some other cool CSA and farmers market fare recipes here at Beth Bader’s Farmers Market Fare and some make-your-own concoctions at Surely You Nest.
— Lynn
Copyright 2008 OrganicMania
6 Responses to “Stinging Nettles Need a New Name!”
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I was scared of them, because I have set my arms and legs on fire with the things when outside in Germany. Hence, the first time we had them at the CSA I didn’t take them. My wife was disappointed, so I took them last week, and stung myself, even though I used the tongs. My wife ate them as cooked greens, and we both had tea made out of them too.
I’ll have to try the tea next time! Thanks for sharing! — Lynn
love this – hey, prunes rebranded – dried plum anyone? Cobra greens has a certain ring to it…
Now that’s a great idea! I’m going to stick them in a quiche tomorrow….cobra green quiche? Real boys don’t eat cobra quiche? — Lynn
[…] from OrganicMania ponders the fact that cooking stinging nettles is one thing – but trying to get a five-year-old to eat them is even […]
i think stinging nettles are stupid they sting people and they hurt you so bad
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