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Sautéed Stinging Nettles & White Beans

Ingredients:

1/2 pound stinging nettles
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large shallot, sliced lengthwise and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
4 medium garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 can white beans, rinsed and drained
Zest of 1 medium lemon
Juice of 1/2 medium lemon

Directions:

1. Wearing thick rubber gloves, clean the nettles by soaking them, then drain. (Do not touch raw nettles with your bare hands. If you do not have rubber gloves, use tongs to handle the nettles.) Separate the tender leaves from the tough stems, discarding the stems. (Use scissors for this process if you don’t have protective rubber gloves.)
2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the shallots and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until the shallots have softened, about 2 minutes more.
3. Using tongs, add half of the nettles and the broth to the pan. Cook, stirring often, until the nettles have begun to wilt, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining nettles and cook, stirring often, until wilted, about 3 minutes more. (Add more broth a tablespoon at a time if the pan becomes too dry.)
4. Add the beans and gently stir until warm throughout.
5. Remove the pan from heat. Stir in the lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve.