By which method can you disarm the sting on nettles?

Blanching is the correct method to disarm the sting of nettles because it involves briefly boiling the nettles in water and then immediately immersing them in ice water. This process efficiently neutralizes the stinging hairs found on nettles. The heat from the boiling water helps to break down the chemical irritants that cause the sting, effectively rendering the nettles safe to eat.

While freezing can also diminish the sting by causing the cells in the leaves to break down, it is less commonly practiced for immediate use and may not be as effective as blanching for quickly neutralizing the stinging properties. Boiling alone is similar to blanching but lacks the immediate cooling step, which helps to preserve the color and texture of the nettles while also stopping the cooking process. Drying does eliminate the sting, but it is a much slower method and doesn't allow for the immediate preparation of fresh dishes using nettles.