Glossary B
Brennesselszopp is Luxembourg's nettle soup which is made from the top fresh shoots of Brennesel (Nettle) picked in early springtime, potatoes and onions. The Brennessel is cooked with onions and potatoes then mixed with a blender. It is served as an appetizer with croutons on top and cream.
Nettle which is also called stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) refers to a wild plant which grows in clusters on well-manured ground with leaves that sting the exposed skin. The young leaves may be used as spinach or to make soup and lose their stinging capacity on boiling.
I have seen Brennessel on the weekend market where I usually go to to buy fresh farmers' products, but I have never tried cooking them as my husband is not fond of cream soups made from leafy vegetables.
Use only the very top fresh shoots, picked in early springtime.
Fry a finely chopped onion in a little butter, then add the nettle shoots and continue on a medium heat.
After a couple of minutes add three quartered potatoes and a litre of meat stock.
Cook for half an hour, and then mix well in a blender. Add seasoning to taste, and some cream
Serve with croutons.
Brennessel (Urtica dioica) is the German word for "stinging nettle" or "nettle". In Germany, they are mostly found in the wild, but there are already some which are sold in the farmers markets. Brennessel leaves are made into a soup called Brennesselsuppe, and also made into other dishes like Brennesselgratin, Brennesselsalat, etc. There is also a tea made from Brennessel.
Brennessel is also known in German as Brennesselkraut or Haarnesselkraut. In French it is known as Ortie and in English it is called Nettle or Stinging Nettle.
In my own garden here in Germany, there are so many Brennessels which just come out every spring. There are so many, however my husband does not known how to eat them. But some people, particularly those who live near the mountains loves the Brennessel very much especially when made into a soup. It is a pity that there are so many wild plants around my garden which I can not use at all because I am afraid that I have not much knowledge on how to use them properly, besides, I saw on TV that it is hard to recognize Brennessel from the many similar wild plants sprouting during spring. Today, I will try to search some in my garden only for photo session.