i made a nettle and green garlic soup earlier this week with nettles from Next Step Produce (Dupont market). it turned out well, and the nettles made the soup the most vivid green color i've ever seen. i also agree that nettle leaves only have to be blanched for about 2 minutes. and definitely wear gloves!
here's the recipe i came up with: http://www.betsysbites.com/2011/04/nettle-and-green-garlic-soup/