Comments on: Fiddlehead Ferns

By: ellie

ellie — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:34:05 +0000

I live on the north west coast of cali and fiddle heads are in the begining of thier season right now jan.28 ,2010

By: Jack Simpson

Jack Simpson — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:46:58 +0000

While teaching at the American-British Academy in Muscat, Oman, I found frosen fiddleheads processed by McCains. Im from northern Maine where they thrive and I can’t tell you how happy I was to find them in another corner of the world. They were delicious!

By: sandra brown

sandra brown — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:29:42 +0000

Just steamed them about 5 min or less ,then sauteed them w/ olive oil & garlic. They were good!!!!!!!!!

By: sandra brown

sandra brown — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:54:18 +0000

Every year I cut the ferns back because they take over.I have thrown them in piles & they will still grow. I didn’t know you could eat the tips until today. I have so many of these plants ,wish I knew how get rid of them. Can’t wait to start cooking!

By: nathan olson

nathan olson — Mon, 18 May 2009 11:01:26 +0000

Just picked about 45 pounds to freeze, can, pickel. Always love this time of year in the minnesota northwoods. Morels are almost ready… Yum

By: bev

bev — Sat, 16 May 2009 22:36:24 +0000

We have been eating fiddle head ferns for years, around this part of NYS we always refered to them as brake greens,(don’t really know where that name came about. It is not illegal to pick them in NYS as far as we know. The season here starts around the middle of may for areas that get a lot of sun, but sometimes we get lucky and find a spot that has other vegetation growing that “hides” the fiddle heads from the sun so if one spot is gone, we move to another. We have blanched and frozen then, the same way you would do with anyother similar type of vegetable according to the Ball Blue Book. Also, my sister has canned some, just like any other vegetable. I was amazed by the comments, that they are sold in stores! I have taken them to work to show my friends and they seem to think they are disgusting looking, “they look like worms!” Also, when we eat ours, we add butter and a little bit of cider vinegar! YUMMY! Have a recipe for fiddle head quiche but have yet to try it.

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:47:17 +0000

I have a Peterson field guide for edible wild plants and aparently I have maybe fifty ferns growing in the backyard here in Maine. Fiddleheads that is. I had never tried them before, we just bought this house in November so this was a bit of a surprise.
I think I cooked them enough…….I sauteed them in olive oil and salt and pepper with a little butter for flavor and made an omelette with them.Thanks for the article, I had no idea they were so popular. My favorite wild food is still moose.

By: MsMarmitelover

MsMarmitelover — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:38:20 +0000

Can you get them in England?

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:13:34 +0000

Few notes from a lifetime fiddleheader. Pay through the nose or find your own. Look alongside rivers, streams and brooks as the spring water runoff receeds. Can be found about any shady spot though, I have them growing on the northside of my barn! The best are found in a spot that’s absolutely miserable and wet to try to get to, wear gum rubbers and lots of fly dope. Some things to look for, Ostrich’s will be the only fern out there with a deep groove in the stem. No hair/fur. Brown ‘paper’ shells. Beware any ferns with hair, and/or those with round stems. I blanch mine for about two minutes, then freeze them in quart freezer bags. Never had a problem. Best cleaning method I’ve found: Give each fiddlehead a short burst with a garden hose. This dislodges dirt, bugs and brown stuff quite nicely.

By: Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Morels and Fiddleheads | Recipe Bodega

Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Morels and Fiddleheads | Recipe Bodega — Fri, 08 May 2009 07:19:56 +0000

[...] pair really well with them. You can read a little informational post I wrote about them here. I love their tender crunch, mild flavor, and beautiful swirl. And just like morels, use them as [...]