Stinging nettles can be found at springtime farmers’ markets.  High in iron and vitamin C, they’re also standouts at reducing seasonal allergy symptoms. Stinging nettle pizza is a tasty way to eat these seasonal greens.  Don’t forget to handle raw nettles with rubber gloves!

Stinging Nettle Pizza

A large bunch of stinging nettles

1 head garlic, roasted at 350 degrees until soft

½ cup wild mushrooms, cleaned and sliced

1 cup grated mozzarella, gouda or your favorite nondairy cheese

½ lb whole wheat pizza dough, or your favorite whole grain or gluten-free ready-made crust

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F.

To cook nettles:  Prepare a large bowl with ice water. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wearing gloves, add the nettles and cook about 3 minutes until wilted but still bright green. Drain the hot water off the nettles and transfer them to the ice water to cool. Drain again, squeezing excess water out with your hands, and roughly chop the cooked nettles.

Roll out the pizza dough so that it fits on a cookie sheet or pizza pan.

Skin the roasted garlic cloves into a small bowl and smash into paste with a fork.  Spread garlic paste over crust.

Sprinkle cheese evenly over the crust. Arrange the cooked nettles and mushrooms on top.

Bake 20-25 minutes, until crust is lightly browned and the cheese melted. Allow to cool 5 minutes before serving.