Nettles are an edible treat! Young, tender nettles rank among the yummiest and most nutritious of green vegetables. And don’t worry! Even the lightest cooking eliminates the stinging hair during the process. A rich source of calcium, iron, magnesium, and other minerals and of high levels of vitamins C and A, they also contain more protein than other green vegetables (dried leaves are 25 percent protein!). What’s more, many of these nutrients act as antioxidants inside your body, defending your cells against damage from free radicals, which are linked to aging, cancer, and other harmful diseases.