I almost missed fiddlehead season but was able to get out Sunday and collect a few that were still curled up tight.

I’ve heard there are a few edible species but we only harvest the ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris. I love them lightly battered and fried (after blanching) or pickled to go in bloody marys.

More info: https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2540e/

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    1 month ago

    Well if you can forage for them, get about four big handfuls, cut the stem close to the curl. Then here’s how I cook them:

    • Get two pots of water boiling. And keep one bowl of ice water aside.
    • blanch the fiddleheads in the first pot for 5 minutes.
    • then using a metal frying scoop, scoop them out and transfer to the second pot and blanch for another 5 min.
    • then transfer to the ice bath to stop them from cooking further.
    • heat a pan on medium heat and add butter
    • saute the fiddleheads
    • serve with salt and pepper