How to Harvest and Prepare Nettles

Before cooking, make sure that all of the leaves are separated from the stalks. Drop the leaves into a sink or bowl of warm water and let sit for about 10 minutes. This washing process by itself will remove much of the sting from them (although I still prefer not to touch them at this point!). You’ll see that the soaking water becomes a rust-orange color; this is nothing to worry about.