Spring Tonic Nettle Smoothie: Power in Those Greens
A dairy free, creamy green pick-me-up spring tonic nettle smoothie. It makes the most of spring foraging and will leave you raring to go.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I am having such fun with my new power blender. Mostly, I’ve only used it so far for making smoothies, but smoothies I’d never have been able to make in my old blender. I’ve already posted about my carrot smoothie. Today I thought I’d try a spring tonic nettle smoothie.
Stinging Nettles
At this time of year, after the dark days of winter and hearty food, I start craving nettles. They are said to be a blood cleanser and general spring tonic. They have long been used in herbal medicine and are meant to be helpful in easing or curing arthritis, asthma, bladder infections, gout, kidney stones and many other ailments.
Luckily, spring is the ideal time to pick nettles; you want them young and tender. Just pick the tips (top 4 leaves). If you go out foraging for nettles, do try to pick them off road so they’re not polluted. Away from dog activity would be good too.
I’m a bit of a wuss and require gloves when picking nettles. I’ve been stung by them too many times. But CT does the manly thing and plucks them with his bare hands. The theory is, if you grasp the nettles firmly, they won’t sting you, especially when they’re young.
Spring Tonic Nettle Smoothie
Usually, I use nettles to make soups. Nettle soup is one of my favourite soups at this time of year. Or, I use them as a general spinach type substitute in all sorts of dishes. I’ve never eaten them raw before though – until now.
I was a little tentative when taking the first sip. What if the stings were still active? But not at all. It was beautifully smooth. The spring tonic nettle smoothie has a slight metallic note and tastes like it’s good for you, but it’s by no means unpleasant. I shall most certainly be repeating the experiment.
Other Nettle Recipes You Might Like
- Creamy butter beans & mushrooms
- Green flatbreads
- Nettle powder
- Nettle cakes with lemon & white chocolate
- Spanakopita with wild greens
- Vegetarian nettle dip or vegan green dip
Keep in Touch
Thank you for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you make this spring tonic nettle smoothie, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. Do you have any recommendations or advice for using nettles?
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If you’d like more recipes using foraged foods, follow the link and you’ll find I have quite a lot of them. All delicious and nutritious, of course.
Choclette x
Spring Tonic Nettle Smoothie. PIN IT.
Spring Tonic Nettle Smoothie
Equipment
- power blender
Ingredients
- 750 ml coconut milk (or plant milk of your choice)
- 1 handful nettle tops
- 4 medjool dates
- 2 tsp pumpkin seed butter (or use nut butter of your choice)
- 1 tsp barley grass powder (or green powder of your choice)
Instructions
- Place everything in a power blender and whiz at high speed for 30 to 55 seconds.
- Pour into two glasses and enjoy.
Oh yum Choclette! I never thought of using nettles raw as I thought they’d still have their stingers. Must try this. I’m always amazed how botanists seem to have the ability to pick and eat raw nettles without being stung. I think there must be a secret class they all take! 😉
Haha, yes you are probably right Vohn. I’m really glad I tried this as I like to get lots of nettles at this time of year and smoothies are such a good way of eating your greens 😉
I’ve had nettle soup before and it was quite nice, wouldn’t have thought to use them in a smoothie though, nice idea and glad to hear they didn’t sting!
Haha, I was rather glad about that aspect too Jen.
Beautiful new blog, Choclette! I love your smoothie, I was thinking of using some nettles in my green smoothie recently, but went for pea shoots instead :-))) Not wild, but seasonal and fill of vit C! Glad you are enjoying using your Optimum blender x
Thanks Ren, so pleased you like it. It still has lots of work to do on it, including the header, but it’s getting there. Pea shoots sound quite delicious. I will try those when (and if) ours get planted. Loving the Optimum 9200 and I’m using it all the time.
I have a mostly hate hate relationship with nettles, arising from a motorway incident some years ago (suffice to say, stuck for hours, no facilities nearby, hardly even any bushes on the very visible road side, got stung to all hell when taking advantage of the one (thorn-covered) bush I could find).
I ought to try them edibly, just to get my own back — my fingers were swollen for days, and I was stung all up my legs and um, arse!
Oh dear Kavey, that doesn’t sound like a fun experience at all, no wonder you’re not keen. Definitely worth trying to get your own back I reckon.
I pick nettles with gloves too. Never tried them in a smoothie tho, might just give it a try as we have so many nettles growing here at the Kitchen Shed at the moment.
Nettles, I find are one of those plants that are never very far away Sarah! Let me know how you get on.
OOh I’m interested to see what this tastes like. I’ve never had nettles before! xxx
If you’ve never had nettles before Laura, I’d go for having them in a soup or some other cooked dish first. If you’re used to adding kale and other greens to smoothies, though, this should be fine.
It’s a fab idea and I’ve never thought to try nettles before, seems like a great use of them!
It is indeed Olivia. Not only are nettles full of good things, they are also very tasty. I would try them cooked first before going for a full on smoothie though.
I always thought cooking with nettles was a made up thing!! I’m wanting to try it myself now lol
Louise x
Hi Louise, nettles are a wonderful food and make a great substitute for spinach. The sting disappears as soon as it’s cooked and nettle soup is one of my favourites. I wouldn’t try this smoothie until you’ve tried cooked nettles – the taste is much more pronounced.
I like the sound of this, especially if it gets rid of some of the nettles. I love nettle soup too.
Nettle soup is one of my all time favourites Kath. This smoothie is a bit more in your face, but definitely no sting 🙂
Loving the new look blog, looking forward to seeing your expanded range!
Thank you Jenny, much appreciated 🙂
Yes, the nettles are starting to grow already, we have plenty of them on the farm! I made a quiche with nettles last year and it was great, just like spinach. I’m hoping to do more nettle cooking this year and loved the Nettle and lemon cake I saw posted recently.
Your smoothie looks very healthy and a simple way to get some greens.
I made nettle and lemon cakes last year Janice and they were great. I amazed everyone with the green colour and kept them guessing as to what was in them.
I had no idea nettles could be eaten. I wonder where I can find some…
Gosh Christine, nettles grow pretty much everywhere, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find some – or at least they do here in the UK.
Ah, so this is what you did with those nettles you mentioned on Twitter! I have not yet made a nettle smoothie, picking them mainly for risottos, fritters (with wild garlic), soup and pesto. You have opened my eyes! I picked some today and have them earmarked for a recipe I’m developing for Easter, but as I live in the woods, I can just go out and pick some more for a smoothie. I would never pick without gloves either. 🙂
We had soup last night with most of them Kellie, I just saved a few for this morning. Nettle soup is one of my favourites, but I use them for virtually anything you’d use spinach in. Pesto is an interesting one as that’s raw too.
Never used nettles before, but you have me intrigued!
Ah, you haven’t lived Dorothy 😉
Intriguing! I bet this tastes fantastic. I will have to keep an eye out for the nettles growing!
There’s nothing like a bit of foraging to make you feel good Elizabeth 😉
Ive never heard of using nettles in cooling before either! Im intrigued.
Nettle soup is one of my favourites Sarah – well worth trying.
I’ve never used nettles in cooking before but I’ve heard they are good. I am loving your recipe and the new blog. Looking good!
Jac, cooked nettles are delicious and so good for you too – just make sure they are young and tender.