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–+ servings

Rustic Nettle & Vermicelli Soup

Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 160 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 150 g fresh young nettle leaves washed, stems removed
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 1 carrot diced
  • 1 potato diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced. Or substitute wild garlic - see below.
  • 1 litre vegetable stock
  • 50 g vermicelli or other small soup pasta such as alphabet (small), stelline, etc.
  • 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
  • salt & black pepper to taste
  • ½ tsp dried thyme optional
  • juice of ½ lemon

To Serve

  • grated Parmesan for serving, optional

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the nettles: Handle the nettles with rubber gloves or use tongs. Wash the nettles in cold water and remove tough stems. Chop roughly if leaves are large.
  • In a large pan, heat the butter (or olive oil) over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and garlic, sautéing until softened (about 5 minutes).
  • Add potato and pour in stock. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for 10 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  • Stir in vermicelli pasta and cook for 3–5 minutes until nearly done.
  • Add nettles and simmer for 2–3 more minutes, until they are wilted but still vibrant green. Don’t overcook the nettles—they should stay bright green and visible.
  • Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
  • Stir in lemon juice for freshness.
  • Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan plus crusty bread on the side.

Notes

If you like a spicy kick, add chili flakes or a dash of smoked paprika.
If you're substituting wild garlic for 2 cloves of minced garlic in this soup recipe
  • Use 6–8 wild garlic leaves, finely chopped.
  • Add them towards the end of cooking to preserve their fresh, mild garlic flavour (so in this recipe, add at the same time as the nettle leaves).
Wild garlic is less pungent than normal garlic cloves, so you need more. Cooking it too long dulls its flavour, so adding it near the end keeps it fresh and aromatic.

Nutrition

Calories: 160kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 1055mgPotassium: 454mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 3925IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 207mgIron: 1mg
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