Feasting on Fiddlehead

Food & Beverage
Feasting on Fiddlehead

fiddlehead.jpg
Photo by Flickr user cbcastro
Have you ever eaten fiddlehead? Fiddleheads are the furled shoots of certain varieties of young ferns, and according to Wikipedia, fiddlehead is part of the traditional diet in northern France, in parts of Asia, and among Native Americans. They are not cultivated, so they’re only available seasonally. And that season is… early spring!
Some delicious-looking fiddlehead recipes:
FiddleheadGruyereTart.jpg

Fiddlehead and Gruyere Tart

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Pickled Fiddlehead

Pickling seems like a great option for extending the life of fiddleheads, since they don’t keep well at all. Crunchy, pickle-y, yum!
Kerabu_prawn_fiddlehead_salad.jpg

Prawn Fiddlehead Salad

FiddleheadCarbonara.jpg

Fiddlehead Carbonara

Fiddlehead_risotto.jpg

Risotto with Fiddleheads, Favas, and Snow Peas

10 thoughts on “Feasting on Fiddlehead

  1. Tracy A. says:

    “Feasting on fiddleheads” is a feast for the eyes! The photos are just lovely. Fiddleheads have such a “nautilus” look to them!

  2. Ellen G says:

    Fiddleheads are delicious! But be careful. If cooked improperly, they can cause extreme intestinal discomfort. Not all recipes clearly indicate a minimum cook time, which is important. But once they’re cooked, feast away!

  3. Joy says:

    Just a little note for those who might not know. Many native ferns are endangered plants. Please check with your local DNR (most states list the plants for that state online) before gathering these precious ferns for cooking.
    Many varieties of ferns are endangered species in the US and there are hefty fines for disturbing them in any manner, whether cutting for cooking or replanting native species on your property.
    Some of these ferns are nearing extinction and the growth in the spring is their only method of propagation.

  4. ARMAND L. PELLETIER says:

    i need to know of an address where i can order canned fiddleheads. i live in deltona, fl. please email me.

  5. Laura Cochrane says:

    You can order them on Amazon. It is seasonal, and they state that the harvest is in May.
    http://www.amazon.com/Belle-Maine-Fiddlehead-15oz-Unit/dp/B00152IBD0

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