Nettle: the wild herb with a homemade soul - and our tagliatelle recipe

Redazione
Apr 23
3 min read

Nettle: more than just a stinging weed

Nettle is far more than a prickly plant — it’s an ancient medicinal herb, cherished in rustic kitchens for its nutritional properties and now a star ingredient in creative, sustainable recipes.

Once known as “poor man’s food,” nettle has made a powerful comeback, now recognized as a modern superfood.

At MamaGina, it reigns supreme in our homemade nettle tagliatelle — a special off-menu dish served in our restaurant La Polenteria.

Nettle’s Benefits: from magic herb to nutrient-rich ingredient

Before you taste it, here’s why nettle is so special:

✅ Packed with iron, vitamin C, vitamin K, and calcium

✅ Offers detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and mineral-boosting benefits

✅ Once blanched, it completely loses its sting and becomes soft and tender

✅ Traditionally used in tortelli, savory pies, herbal teas, and decoctions

✅ In folk tradition, it was placed near the door to ward off negative energy

Nettle grows in rich, fertile soil — where nature thrives.

Where there’s nettle, there’s energy and abundance.

Cooking with Nettle: Chef Gina Moschella shares her take

To better tell the story of this unique ingredient, we sat down with Gina Moschella, chef and soul of MamaGina.

What fascinates you about nettle as an ingredient?

"What I love about nettle is how humble yet surprising it is. It’s a wild plant, often growing where you least expect it — but when treated with care, it gives back a deep, earthy, green flavor.

I love using it because it’s seasonal, sustainable, and full of goodness.

In many ways, it reflects the deep connection between food and nature."

Do you have any family memories tied to nettle?

"Yes! I remember my grandmother coming back from the garden with her apron full of nettles, carefully picked with gardening gloves.

She would blanch them quickly, then prepare a fragrant frittata or use them as filling for fresh pasta.

They were simple dishes, made with love — the kind that instantly make you feel at home."

Any advice for cooking with nettle at home?

"I always try to honor tradition while adding a personal touch.

I use nettle in green gnocchi, delicate pasta fillings, risottos, or even as a creamy sauce for polenta.

It’s an ingredient that speaks of our land, the seasons, and the roots of rustic cuisine — just like we do every day at MamaGina."

Nettle Tagliatelle: our recipe

Our nettle tagliatelle is a dish that reflects the philosophy of MamaGina and Polenteria:

respect for seasonality, the value of raw ingredients, and the pursuit of authentic flavor.

🌿 You’ll find it off-menu in Polenteria, freshly made with hand-picked nettles gathered that very morning.

“To cook without waste is to honor time, the land, and those who cultivate it.”

Why cook with nettle?

Nettle is a symbol of sustainable, zero-waste cuisine and love for the natural world.

Perfect for those who are looking for:

✔ Recipes with wild, foraged ingredients

✔ Nutritious, vegetarian-friendly meals

✔ Food that tells a story of place and tradition

✔ An authentic and sustainable dining experience

✨ Come try our Nettle Tagliatelle!

We’ll be waiting for you at La Polenteria by MamaGina to share our seasonal recipes — made with love, memory, and real vegetables.

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