H ave you ever eaten a fiddlehead fern before? Among the earliest edible items you can forage from a forest or better still, from your backyard , fiddleheads have become a popular seasonal ingredient among chefs and those who enjoy eating unique foods.
Though there are a handful of edible species, the fiddle heads of the ostrich fern Matteuccia struthiopteris are the most reliable and the easiest to identify. Fiddleheads of other fern species could make you sick. Because of this, you should plant ostrich ferns on purpose, if you want to grow your own fiddleheads, or learn how to properly identify the species if you plan to harvest from the wild.
Fiddleheads of ostrich ferns taste a bit like a mixture of asparagus and spinach, with a touch of broccolini thrown in for good measure. Pickled fiddlehead ferns are a favorite, too. Avoid eating them raw; they could upset your stomach.
Properly identifying ostrich ferns is important before you pick anything in the spring. Fiddleheads of ostrich ferns emerge from mound-like, knobby rhizomes that stick out of the soil. Often there are old, feather-shaped reproductive fronds sticking straight up out of the center of the rhizome. Another identifying trait is that the stalks of ostrich fern fiddleheads have a U-shaped groove running along their entire length, just like a stalk of celery.
This groove is on the top side of the fiddlehead. Other fern species do not have this groove. If you want to grow your own ostrich ferns for spring harvests, choose a site in full shade, though the plants can tolerate some sun in the morning or afternoon.
Moist but well draining soil, high in organic matter is best. Ostrich ferns grow at least 6 feet high, while lady ferns and bracken ferns reach no more than 1 to 3 feet high. Ostrich ferns have five to nine fronds that grow in a rosette shape, creating a funnel.
Although you can grow ostrich ferns for fiddleheads, some people forage for these ferns, going out in early spring to look for the young, green shoots. Ostrich ferns grow in groups of three to 12 fronds -- or fiddleheads when young -- and thrive in shady, cool environments.
Look for them from late April to early June along streams, brooks and rivers. Home-grown ostrich ferns ensure an easy-to-find harvest each spring. Situate the ferns in an area that receives dappled sunlight and is consistently damp and moist. Ostrich ferns grow best in protected areas that do not receive much wind and have rich, moist soil.
Start ferns in containers and space them 18 to 24 inches apart. Before planting, mix in compost, in a ratio of roughly 1 to 3 parts compost to soil, to a depth of 2 feet. Do not fertilize ferns, and water regularly, several times a week, to ensure the soil stays consistently damp when touched. Without a doubt, ostrich fern fiddleheads, when prepared safely, are a healthy seasonal vegetable. Remember though, regardless of whether you forage for fiddleheads or you plan on purchasing them, always be sure to never eat these raw or if they are undercooked.
Fabulous info people need to know! I shared this with my family cause they love to get fiddleheads! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In-depth wild edible PDFs. Click here for more. Get your nutrition from nature.
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