Delicious!
Take a walk through the lowland part of the woods where there is moisture and you'll probably see lots of feathery, green ferns. There are many different kinds of ferns, but the ostrich fern, that grows about four feet tall, is what we can eat in the spring before they uncurl and open into those lacy-looking ferns. In this stage, they are still tightly curled up with a thin, brownish skin-looking layer over them. This is when they look like the end of the violin, hence the name-fiddlehead. Wash off the brownish, skin-looking layer (which just brushes off quite easily), and steam over boiling water in a vegetable steamer for just a few minutes and melt butter over them, then salt to taste. These are so delicious! I eat them every year. Here in Maine, they sell them fresh in the veggie section of our local grocers and at road side stands. They don't last too long, so you need to get them while they're available in the spring. They are not too plentiful, so can get very expensive. I paid $4.99 a lb. just this year. There is a company ( Belle of Maine, I believe) that cans them and other wild edibles, such as dandelion greens. There is a farm in Maine that grows dandelions just for that purpose! If you get a chance, try fiddleheads out. They are delicious!
Fiddleheads are the ostrich fern, and I was thinking of getting a bunch of the plants to grow my own, since I love to eat them each spring. They probably could be kept frozen too, to serve later. These plants like a moist, shady area, and I have a shady place out in the back where a brook runs along. But, again these plants seem expensive to me, especially since you would need to get a lot of them. But, they will grow back each year! You could also forage for wild ones yourself.
CAUTION!
If you go looking to pick your own fiddleheads to eat, make sure you have someone knowledgeable about wild edibles. There are many kinds of ferns, and not all are edible.
Ostrich ferns are also known as fiddlehead ferns. Fiddleheads are a traditional dish of northern New England (predom. Maine) in the United States, and of Quebec and the Maritimes in Canada. The Canadian village of Tide Head, New Brunswick, bills itself as the Fiddlehead Capital of the World.
Though available regionally in some supermarkets and restaurants, fiddleheads aren't cultivated and are available only seasonally. In rural areas, fiddleheads are harvested by individuals in early spring. When picking fiddleheads, three tops per plant is the recommended harvest. Each plant produces seven tops that turn into fronds; over-picking will kill the plant. Maintaining sustainable harvesting methods is important in the propagation of any non-farmed food species.
Fiddleheads have been part of traditional diets in much of Asia, Australia and New Zealand, as well as among Native Americans for centuries.
Want to Plant Your Own Fiddleheads?
The Top Five Reasons Fiddleheads is the Yummiest Wildfood
- Delicious to eat.
- Easy to cook.
- Healthy for you.
- Nice eye candy for your dinner plate.
- Good for the whole family, including vegetarians.
Reader Feedback
Is Fiddleheads the Yummiest Wildfood Ever?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes
Tiddledeewinks says:
Yes,yes,yes! I love these steamed with butter and salt added.
Posted May 30, 2009
No way!
Links that prove the point
Ostrich fern - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ostrich fern or Shuttlecock fern (Matteuccia s more...0 points
PlantFiles: Detailed information on Ostrich Fern, Garden Fern ...
Browse pictures and read growth / cultivation info more...0 points
The Far North Garden: Growing Ostrich Ferns for Fiddleheads
Jan 14, 2009 ... Ostrich ferns (Matteuccia struthi more...0 points
Facts on Fiddleheads
University of Maine Cooperative Extension bulletin more...0 points
Fiddleheads - Wild Harvest Gourmet - Recipes
Fiddlehead Greens are the premium wild forage vege more...0 points
Fiddlehead Ferns, Sauteed
New England, fiddleheads connect us with the past more...0 points
Foodista Blog - Fiddleheads
I've always wanted to try fiddleheads, the cute cu more...0 points
Try a New Vegetable: Fiddleheads : Planet Green
I was so excited to see fiddleheads in the farmers more...0 points

Fiddleheads Featured on Edible Toronto Cover

Fiddlehead Ferns Emerging

Fully Opened Ostrich Ferns (Fiddleheads)

Yummy Steamed Fiddleheads
Veggie Steamer For Your Fiddleheads

The Fiddleheads Namesake~Violin
Children's Book
Fiddlehead Art Poster
Great stuff you can buy about Fiddleheads
Vote for your favorite. Or, add what's missing!
Ostrich Fern (Fiddlehead Fern, Garden Fern, Hardy Fern, Shuttlecock Fern) {50 Bare Root plants, $4.37 each plant}
Ostrich Fern (Fiddlehead Fern, Garden Fern, Hardy more...1 point
The Fiddlehead Cookbook: Recipes from Alaska's Most Celebrated Restaurant and Bakery by Nancy DeCherney, John DeCherney, Deborah Marshall, Susan Brook
The Fiddlehead Restaurant and Bakery has bee a Jun more...0 points
Fiddlehead Fern Candle by Caldrea
The Caldrea Company is proud to introduce Fiddlehe more...0 points
Fiddleheads 24ct
This New England delicacy may be new to your table more...0 points
Beginnings Fiddlehead Sterling Silver Textured Oval Scroll Earrings
Oxidized open textured oval french wire earrings w more...0 points
Gardens Tools Jacquard Teatowels Set of 2 - Fiddlehead
Perfect for the green thumb in your life. An attra more...0 points
Yume-no-Yume Incense Sticks - Fiddlehead Fern
Yume-no-Yume Incense Sticks - Fiddlehead Fern0 points
Cozy Fiddlehead Ferns on Hawaii's Big Island - Fine-Art Giclée Photographic Print by Brendan Reals
Photographs America presents thousands of stunning more...0 points
36" Whimsical White Glittered Fiddlehead Fern Curl Christmas Spray
White Glittered Fiddlehead Fern Christmas Spray Fr more...0 points
Fiddlehead Fern Body Mist by Caldrea
The Caldrea Company is proud to introduce Fiddlehe more...0 points
Fuzzy Fiddlehead Fern on the Big Island of Hawaii - Fine-Art Giclée Print of a Brendan Reals Photograph
Photographs America presents thousands of stunning more...0 points
Kindness: Fiddlehead Art Poster Print, 22x28
Art.com is the world's largest retailer of art pri more...0 points
Hawaiian Fiddlehead Fern on the Big Island - Fine-Art Giclée Print of a Brendan Reals Photograph
Photographs America presents thousands of stunning more...0 points
Fiddlehead Fern Fragrance Diffuser Caldrea
The Caldrea Company is proud to introduce Fiddlehe more...0 points
Fiddlehead Fern Body Cream by Caldrea
The Caldrea Company is proud to introduce Fiddlehe more...0 points
FIDDLEHEAD Street Sign ~ Custom Street Sign - Aluminum
FIDDLEHEAD Street Sign ~ Custom Aluminum Street Si more...0 points
Yume no Yume Gift Set Fiddlehead Fern
Contemporary Japanese Incense combined with the Tr more...0 points
Ostrich Fern Photographic Poster Print by Pernilla Bergdahl, 24x18
AllPosters.com is the world's #1 seller of posters more...0 points
Ostrich Fern (Fiddlehead Fern, Garden Fern, Hardy Fern, Shuttlecock Fern) {24 Pots - 3 1/2 in., $6.17 each plant}
Ostrich Fern (Fiddlehead Fern, Garden Fern, Hardy more...0 points
Botanical Fern Print: Ostrich Fern - Onoclea germanica
Accurately rendered and elegantly restored, our 18 more...0 points
Fiddlehead Stuff Up For Auction
Bid quickly, as these change daily!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byWhat the web says about Fiddleheads
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byYour turn: Am I right?
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Reply
- WindyWinters WindyWinters Aug 17, 2009 @ 2:45 am
- Interesting Lens. I have heard of Fiddleheads but I don't recall ever seeing any. I really enjoy all greens so I would probably enjoy these too. I will have to take a look at the market. Thanks for sharing your info. I also didn't realize that some of these ferns are not edible. Very good point. Nicely illustrated lens! :)
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Reply
- _Joan_ _Joan_ Aug 16, 2009 @ 10:18 pm
- Hi! I have never seen this plant before. I guess we don't get it here in Los Angeles. But the way you've written about them is making me jealous!
You've been added to the "Squidoo lenses on edible wild plants" lens.
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Index of Contents
- CAUTION!
- Want to Plant Your Own Fiddleheads?
- The Top Five Reasons Fiddleheads is the Yummiest Wildfood
- Reader Feedback
- Links that prove the point
- Fiddleheads Featured on Edible Toronto Cover
- Videos about Fiddleheads
- Fiddlehead Ferns Emerging
- Fully Opened Ostrich Ferns (Fiddleheads)
- Yummy Steamed Fiddleheads
- Veggie Steamer For Your Fiddleheads
- The Fiddleheads Namesake~Violin
- Want a Fiddle?
- Lantern Candle
- Children's Book
- Fiddlehead Art Poster
- Great stuff you can buy about Fiddleheads
- Fiddlehead Stuff Up For Auction
- What the web says about Fiddleheads
- Your turn: Am I right?
- More Lenses You Might Want to Check Out
- Great New England Lensmasters
- Travel to the Fiddlehead Capital of the World!
- Canned Maine Fiddleheads
- Feed the Hungry
- Order Your Fiddlehead Plants Here
by Tiddledeewinks



Hello world. This is my bio. I'm Jeannie from the New England state of Maine,vacation land and summer home of George Bush,and home of the world... (more)






























