Fiddleheads are in...

[thedelihaus]

Fiddleheads are in.

Nothing like ferns in yer belly.

For some reason I can't stomach celery, cucumber or lettuce, but brussels sprouts, fiddleheads and asparagus seem to go down easy.:scratch2:

 

[thedelihaus]

Facts on Fiddleheads
By Mahmoud El-Begearmi, Extension specialist, nutrition and food safety

Fiddleheads are the young coiled fern leaves (about an inch in diameter) of the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris). Nearly all ferns have fiddleheads, but those of the ostrich fern are unlike any other.

Fiddleheads are a Maine delicacy that appears in the early spring during April and May. Harvest the tender little rolls of fern almost as soon as they appear within an inch or two of the ground. Carefully brush out and remove the brown scales. Wash and cook the “heads” in a small amount of lightly salted boiling water for ten minutes, or steam for 20 minutes. Serve at once with melted butter. The quicker they are eaten, the more delicate their flavor. They may be served, like asparagus, on toast. Cooked, chilled fiddleheads can be also served as a salad with an onion and vinegar dressing.



NOTE:The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has investigated a number of outbreaks of food-borne illness associated with fiddleheads. The implicated ferns were eaten either raw or lightly cooked (sautéed, parboiled or microwaved), which was what caused a food-borne illness outbreak in British Columbia in 1990. Although a toxin has not been identified in the fiddleheads of the ostrich fern, the findings of this investigation suggest that you should cook fiddleheads thoroughly before eating (boil them for at least 10 minutes).

 

[HeadKnight]

I have learned something new already today. I have never heard of these fiddle heads, sound interesting.

They may be served, like asparagus, on toast.

If anyone EVER served me asparagus on toast, I would beat them. :nono: Thats like putting ketchup on a steak to me.

 

[toxcrusadr]

They look like green space monster tentacles.

 

[similost]

Yep.. that things I learn around this place... Sounds like something I would actually like..

 

[240sx4u]

I would try that, but in the meanwhile the pictures make me queasy for some reason!

 

[stuartk]

If anyone EVER served me asparagus on toast, I would beat them. :nono: Thats like putting ketchup on a steak to me.

I prefer my asparagus lightly steamed with some fresh-ground pepper.

However, asparagus on toast sounds good too.

 

[Nikko75]

They grow wild here next to the house. Get In Mah Belleh!

 

[thedelihaus]

Very "earthy" tasting.

Nice with butter if you're not on a diet, lemon juice or lime juice and pepper and/or salt is nice, too.

 

[jimfet]

Earthy tasting, means taste like dirt. I bought some coffee beans one time. Can't remember the type. But part of the discription of the flavor was ends with an earthy flavor. I found out what that means. Tasted like dirt.

 

[thedelihaus]

Earthy tasting, means taste like dirt. I bought some coffee beans one time. Can't remember the type. But part of the discription of the flavor was ends with an earthy flaver. I found out what that means. Tasted like dirt.

Yesh- a bit grassy- like if you fell while playing tackle football and got a mouthful of Kentucky Bluegrass and peat moss in yer maw...


But just a hint. Saute them up properly, season them righr, and they taste much better.

I'm also a fan of Dandilion leaves. Who'da thunk they'd cook up well?

But alas, they do.

 

[onepixel]

Good stuff. Used to go pick them in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains in Utah with my family. Taste kinda like asparagus but more bitter.

I've had dandilions which are surprisngly good mixed with other greens. I've had cattail tubers too, they taste like Elmer's Glue.

 

[240sx4u]

Hell yeah, I can imagine my neighbors at my new house looking outside and seeing me harvesting dandelions to eat HAHA.

Dude, those things are gross looking. I came back to check it out again. They look like tentacles to me.

 

[thedelihaus]

Hell yeah, I can imagine my neighbors at my new house looking outside and seeing me harvesting dandelions to eat HAHA....

It'd get them talking for sure!

I had no idea they were edible. But a bit of garlic and butter and a dash of salt and boy they are good.

...Dude, those things are gross looking. I came back to check it out again. They look like tentacles to me.

I think if they moved, I'd be less inclined to eat them.

 

[Fedallah]

Interesting. But if it's anything like asparagus, I probably like it.

 

[thedelihaus]

Interesting. But if it's anything like asparagus, I probably like it.

Not as good in my opinion. But still good!


I keep thinking of trying them with some pesto and shitake mushrooms.

Yum!

 

[toxcrusadr]

I've had cattail tubers too, they taste like Elmer's Glue.

I don't wanna know how you know that. :scratch2:

 

[jami w.]

awwww deli found one of my favorite maine snacks

Facts on Fiddleheads
By Mahmoud El-Begearmi, Extension specialist, nutrition and food safety



NOTE:The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has investigated a number of outbreaks of food-borne illness associated with fiddleheads. The implicated ferns were eaten either raw or lightly cooked (sautéed, parboiled or microwaved), which was what caused a food-borne illness outbreak in British Columbia in 1990. Although a toxin has not been identified in the fiddleheads of the ostrich fern, the findings of this investigation suggest that you should cook fiddleheads thoroughly before eating (boil them for at least 10 minutes).

these are good!!!!!!!!!!!!! ive been eating these since i was a kid up north. but sadly i havent found any round here

 

[onepixel]

I don't wanna know how you know that. :scratch2:

I took an outdoor survival course after I quit the boy scouts in the 6th grade. No offense to boy scouts, but my troop was a bunch of whiney ass kids who couldn't even start a fire in the rain.

 

[toxcrusadr]

We had a kid who tried to cook bacon in a skillet over an open fire. Way too hot of a fire. She flamed up 2 ft. high and his best solution was to throw water on it, thus creating a 6 ft. diameter ball of flame and steam.

He was the son of the scoutmaster.