Purple Archangel – Laurent Berrurier
$25 by box
With a bad reputation as a common weed, dead nettle (Lamium purpureum) is a greatly underrated wild edible. Moreover, its creepy name often puts people off. But actually, the “dead” part of its name actually refers to the fact that this plant doesn’t sting like its cousin, the stinging nettle.
Dead nettle is a herbaceous flowering plant that’s native to Europe and Asia. But, they’re also common throughout North America, growing in planting beds as a weed. This plant is easily recognizable from their green, hairy leaves with purple tops and pink flowers. Despite its humble appearance, dead nettle is actually a valuable edible and medicinal plant.
Young plants have edible tops and leaves, used in salads or in stir-fry as a spring vegetable.If finely chopped it can also be used in sauces.
Despite belonging to the mint family, these leaves taste nothing like mint. Instead, they have a mildly sweet taste. Young dead nettle leaves are amazing when eaten fresh. They can be a fantastic addition to your salad. They’re also a great substitute for the more common greens, like spinach, kale, and lettuce, in wraps and sandwiches. You can also blend them with other greens and some lemon juice to make a delicious green smoothie.
Alternatively, these leaves can also be cooked as a potherb. Much like any other greens, these leaves will taste great stir-fried, blanched, and roasted. They will also be a fantastic addition to soups and stews. If you want something different, try dipping them in tempura batter and deep fry them for a delicious and crunchy snack. Lastly, you can also steep these leaves to make a healthy herbal tea.
