Fiddleheads
May 22nd, 2008 | By Peter Minakis | Category: Canadiana, Side, Vegetables, Vegetarian
Fiddleheads belong to the fern family of plants and from my knowledge, they only grow in the northeast of Canada and the United States.
Their growing season is relatively small and yesterday I bought them for $3.99/lb. – not exactly cheap.
From what I’ve read, they are best picked when they just emerge from the damp soil, four or five inches in height, tightly coiled to resemble the tuning head of a violin.
I like eating these with a simple preparation: Salt, pepper, minced garlic, extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice.
Fiddleheads
1 lb. of fresh fiddleheads
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
squeeze of fresh lemon juice
salt & pepper to taste
- Rinse them several times(usually 3-4 times works), to clean off the remaining brown scales.
- Chop off the yellowish or brownish ends of the stems. Bring a pot of water to boil and add some salt.
- Add the fiddleheads to the boiling water. Cook until they are tender, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Dress with minced garlic, salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve hot.
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I have seen them here too. Did you pick them yourself or buy them?
My stepdad is growing ostrich ferns (one of the few ferns whose fiddleheads are edible) and I had to restrain myself from picking them! Where did you get them? I don’t think I’ve ever seen them in a store.
I like fiddleheads very much. Not too common out here, but sometimes.
I used to think they looked like an organ you’d find by the large intestine…!
Oooh! I’ve never seen nor heard of those before!
Oh your lucky. Now that Im office bound I dont have access to the Farmers Markets like I used to.
I don’t think they are available here, or at least I’ve never seen them. I’m curious as to how they taste. Are they similar tasting to anything that I might have had?
So exciting…this is something all together new to me! I had no idea there were edible ferns. What do they taste like?
These look so incredible! I am so jealous! It has been so long since I have had fiddleheads…
We have lots of fiddleheads all in WA state, even here in Greater Seattle. I will have to check the farmer’s market in my neighborhood this weekend. These look really good!
I don’t think I’ve had these yet….they look like they would taste like asparagus?
You can also eat bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) fiddleheads, which grows prolifically across the PNW but they’re not as good – you hafta soak them for a day to leech out some of the tannins. :\
i’ve never been a fan
i just don’t get them
to me they’re nothing special. i must be missing something.
…
but
if i were going to ever ‘go there’ again, i love the simple preperation technique.
Now we just need to get you out there foraging for your own…
Sssshhhhhhh, don’t tell anyone, but we have tons of fiddleheads on our land! It’s such fun to harvest and to be able to cook them five minutes later.
Laurie’s got the right idea! We have fiddleheads here in California too, maybe not the exact same species, but definitely edible. Of course, there’s always the accompanying risk of poison oak…
I have seen these on a plate before, but never in a store or market around here. I also think thy should taste like asparagus.
I have seen these on a plate before, but never in a store or market around here. I also think thy should taste like asparagus.
I have seen these on a plate before, but never in a store or market around here. I also think thy should taste like asparagus.
I have seen these on a plate before, but never in a store or market around here. I also think thy should taste like asparagus.
I have seen these on a plate before, but never in a store or market around here. I also think thy should taste like asparagus.
I have seen these on a plate before, but never in a store or market around here. I also think thy should taste like asparagus.
I have seen these on a plate before, but never in a store or market around here. I also think thy should taste like asparagus.
I have seen these on a plate before, but never in a store or market around here. I also think thy should taste like asparagus.
I have seen these on a plate before, but never in a store or market around here. I also think thy should taste like asparagus.
You’re right – the growing season on fiddleheads is so short that it’s a real treat when you can find them in the stores. The rarity of them makes them extra special (not to mention the price).
Those look so freakin’ fabulous! I am so jealous. I’ve heard about fiddleheads for yers and have never, ever seen one in a store here. I really think I need to move!
Bizarre-looking things! What does their texture and taste most resemble?
OMG I WANT THESE!!! Never ever seen them in France. Are these really that common in the U.S & Canada? I’ve really never heard of or seen them in Europe… unless I wasn’t paying attention or something…What do they taste like? Is there another vegetable they remind you of (just so that I can have an idea hehe…)
I’ve heard about fiddleheads before and have always been intrigued, but as you say we can’t get them here unfortunately.
This makes me laugh because I only discovered fiddleheads a few days ago while I was preparing for a children’s talk! Great to see them all cooked and prepared.
I was wondering where I saw fiddleheads ,but I don’t remember, but not here for sure
I’d never heard of these! They look a bit scary…
Would love to try them though!
I adore fiddleheads, and they grew in my old backyard, but now we don’t have any and at the co-op they’re 19.99 a pound. Not sure I’m going to enjoy them much anymore… ;-( I need to find a good foraging spot!
You know it’s the Spring when these start appearing in markets along with morels, ramps and fava beans. My favorite season! :-) I like the simple preparation too.
My mom loved fiddleheads. As a kid I wouldn’t touch them but what I wouldn’t do for a few spoonfuls now:D
What a funny plant!!!! It seems to me that it grows like the ferns… is it related? A far away cousin?
dear boner king,
i feel like fiddleheads will become the william hung of the foodie world – will they be a passing fad/one-hit-wonder? I’ve seen them all across the blog-o-sphere and with mixed reactions. One food blogger I very much love and hold in high esteem told me they are basically flavorless and aren’t worth it. would you agree mr. kalofagas? I’d love to know your opinion on their flavor. Are they really worth $4 a pound?
signed,
curious in brooklyn
Katerina, good to know they exist on the Left Coast too. I bought them at the market.
Mary, alot of the markets here carry them when in season.
LOL @ Catherine, what an imagination.
Pam and to the many others that asked, I’d say they taste mildly like asparagus.
Heather, you will be known as the guru of greenery…a wealth of knowledge.
CEF, they aren’t OH MY GOD tasty but they are good.
Laurie, believe me if I find a person who’s foraging well, I would be hiking fro greens & such.
Lydia, lucky you!
Lulu, don’t take any chances…one bite & poof!
Nina, my same thoughts…taste like asparagus.
Giz, for awhile there the market wasn’t getting any.
Sticky, I believe some frozen ones are even sold in supermarkets.
Marianna, it’s a North American green, no such luck for Europeans.
Kittie, you’ve eaten frog legs…these would be easy to eat.
Jen, that is expensive.
Zen, I’m going to splurge on Morels next.
Val, I’m sure your tastes have changed now.
Nuria yes, they are related to the fern.
Never Full, I think they taste like asparagus so one would think, why not just eat asparagus? Here’s my take, buy them once each Spring, to herald the coming of Spring and be off with them. I won’t go and buy another pound, sound good Curious Brooklynite?
So many ferns so little time!…these loo interesting and I must confess I’ve sen them but never knew you could eat them…I’m quite intrigued Peter!
I don’t know these Peter, but how ever your pictures are beatiful, look nice!!! xGloria
Hi Peter, I am happy you did your fiddleheads — I love hortosalata! We go usually all the women of the family together (when season) – to pick up some horta (sorry, do not know the english word) – and just love them eating with lemon and olive oil!
Fiddleheads have always looked weird to me:)) I don’t know why. So, I’ve never tasted them and never cooked with them. But I think I should give it a try. It must be healthy. Your recipe is easy.
YAY! Thanks so much for the recipe. Can’t wait to try them. Maybe tomorrow. We are making Duck with Calvados, seems like a great pairing. Thanks Peter.
Interesting…never seen fiddleheads before! Thanks for sharing Peter.
I have never had fiddleheads. I will have to try them.
I just bought some fiddleheads at the supermarket today, I just love them. As a child I never thought I would have to buy them though as my Dad would bring home bags full of them after his fishing trips! :)
Pete, think asparagus.
Gloria, only in North America you’ll find fiddleheads.
Janulka, I never thought of them that way but yes, fiddleheads would be considered horta.
Farida, they are simple, easy to prepare.
Myrtille, you’re very welcome.
Kevin, get them while their in season, it’s coming to an end soon.
Lyb, glad you liked them and found them!
amazing appearance, although i’ve never heard of them, they look like an interesting alternative to the greek horta