Nettle pesto pasta with bacon

Pasta and macaroni Italian cuisine

The key to working with nettles in the kitchen, just like in nature, is to not let them touch your skin. Until they’re blanched, that is, you should handle them with gloves or tongs. Blanching them for just a minute of two takes away their stinging ability, turning them into a rich and zesty green that makes a great pesto base, among other things.