World Nettle Eating Championship

[Lesley Jay]

The World Nettle Eating Championship takes place on Saturday 21st June at The Bottle Inn, Marshwood, Bridport, Dorset. The event attracts entrants from across the world and any fans of River Cottage will remember Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall taking part in the championship one year. Competitors get an hour to eat as many nettle leaves as possible washed down with a swig of beer in between mouthfuls.

The afternoon kicks off with a beer festival and the nettle eating competition starts at 6.30pm with a hog roast until 9pm. Admission £5.

Here is a nice sounding nettle recipe:-

Gently cook a small diced onion and some garlic in oil. Add 300g of young nettle leaves (washed) until softened. Make a slit to create a pocket in two chicken breasts, fill with 2 spoonfuls of the nettles and onions, wrap each in a couple of slices of Pancetta or streaky bacon and dry fry to colour them. Put in the oven to cook through for 20 - 30 minutes at 180C.

[PlantingJoe]

Yooowch! I'm guessing the nettles aren't cooked on the day? I suppose the beer would be very helpful in washing them down *and* eating them

[Lesley Jay]

The nettles aren't cooked for the competition. Competitors pick the nettles leaves off the stems then eat them, leaving their mouths stained black. The length of the nettle stems eaten are measured and this years winner ate 64 foot of nettles!!

[PlantingJoe]

Yowch. I bet that was a real sting for his competitors... Sorry!