Once their "stinging" hairs are cooked down, nettles are a an incredibly rich green. Substitute for spinach in your next frittata or pasta dish. Nettles also give a vegetarian soup stock a robust, nutty flavor.
Caution: Nettles have stinging hairs that release histamine into skin it comes in contact with, causing a stinging sensation. Wear a lightweight pair of gloves when handling. The stinging hairs are broken down after being cooked for 30 seconds to a minute.