NDR Fiddle heads

Luke Berkey

Luke Berkey

Well-known member
Anyone ever eat these things. And if so, how do you prepare them? I have a ton of ferns on my property and every year I want to try and eat some of the young fiddle heads but never get around to researching the best way to prepare them. Thanks, Luke

7015133335_27c208a029_b.jpg

 
Luke,

There are several that people eat, but there is at least one commoneone (braken fern) that contains a carcinogen and are considered not safe to eat. The ones that I've seen and read about don't look like those you have the pic of. I am NO fiddlehead expert (I do eat them any chance I get).
 
I have picked them a few times and make them into a creamy soup. Try to get them when they are just popping out of the ground they are more tender and taste better
 
I am not an expert by any means, but the ones with the soft felt like cover (like pictured) are not the ones you want to eat. The ones you want have a cover that is more scale like, we have both around here and that is my $.02 (I forgot the names of the 2 different ferns) I am sure someone will be along shortly with the correct names
 
Those don't look like any fiddlehead I've ever eaten. Make sure you know what you have, as mentioned there are some that will make you real sick. Otherwise, we toss fiddleheads in a fry pan with butter and a splash of garlic.
 
Thanks for the info. I did know what kind of fern they were at one point forget the name now. My mom's biologist professor friend ID'ed them for me when I bought the house a few ears ago. I'll have to research more before I fry some up.
 
Luke, it looks like Cinnamon fern. We have lots here in the woods where I live. It likes sandy wet soil. Not good to eat. Any of the fuzzy fiddleheads are 'off" the menu............The naked fidlehead you want is "Ostrich" fern. It's stalk is kinda "U shaped..similar to celery shape...........
 
Last edited:
Osmunda regalis
Old World Royal Fern

I'm pretty sure this is what I have. I guess I'll keep it out of the frying pan. Thanks, Luke
 
Jode is absolutely correct.
Cinn. ferns are not good for you but ostrich ferns are. In Vermont, we find our ostrich ferns in the flood plains of the bigger rivers. My favorite way of eating them is to steam them, then cool them and toss them with a vinaigrette dressing. Pan fried with garlic and butter is hard to beat too.... I've pickled them as well, dill fiddle heads are quite tasty in December when greens are hard to come by....

Mike
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top