Published 1990
‘This simple but delicious soup is associated specially with the month of March, when nettles are young and fresh and the black March cockerel is exactly a year old, with young and tender flesh. The nettles were picked commonly on the old drystone dykes or the walls of the drystone-built ‘black’ houses, now rapidly vanishing. In the old days, March time was tonic time, and it was believed that nettle kail, taken three times during the month – sometimes on three consecutive days – purified the blood, cleared the complexion, and in general, ensured good health during the ensuing year. Shrove Tuesday was a very special night for a nettle kail supper. All the members of the family were expected to be present, and a blessing was invoked on the spring work.’ –
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