Stir-Fried Nettles, Chinese Style

Foraged stinging nettles must be collected with care — gloves and long sleeves are a must — as they will sting bare skin before they are cooked. Once cooked, however, the sting vanishes and they are flavorful and highly nutritious. To learn more, watch the episode of Outside & In with The Cook’s Cook in which host Denise Landis learns from certified forager and educator Rachel Goclawski how to identify and forage for stinging nettles. This easy recipe for stir-fried nettles tossed with noodles is one of Rachel’s everyday favorites.

1. 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. While wearing rubber gloves, and preferably using tongs, place the nettles in the pot and boil until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and allow nettles to cool enough to touch (they will no longer have any sting). Remove leaves from the stems and discard the stems. Chop into bite-sized pieces.

   Place a skillet over low heat. Add vegetable oil and garlic, stirring until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add nettles and stir for 1 minute. Add soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil. Mix quickly just until mixture is heated, about 1 minute. Add noodles, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve.