Nettles can cause a very painful reaction if you touch them with your bare hands. You can either grab them with tongs, wear gloves, or slide a plastic bag over your hand when picking them up. Miraculously, however, once they are cooked, the sting is totally gone and what remains is a lovely green, almost spinach-y—a beautiful partner to asparagus.
Recipe: Asparagus, Nettle, and Green Garlic Frittata