Fiddleheads are coming up in some of the gardens I visited this week. The young sprouts of ferns have one of the most magical shapes I can think of. "Why can't they stay that way?" is my initial response, the same as when I see baby animals. Nonetheless, the ferns are as magnificent completely unfurled as they are in their infantile state, so I can forgive the short time they spend in spiral form.
A delicious fiddlehead salad is one of my favorites. I also like to steam and serve them with pasta. They have a very "green", slightly bitter taste which goes very well with cheeses for some reason.
I think I'll go and hunt for them at the local Farmer's Market today. If I were a rich man, I would buy ever fiddlehead sprout up! Have a great weekend!
Of course, there are times when these gems can only be appreciated in their young state. Below is one of my favorite ways of doing so.
I think I'll go and hunt for them at the local Farmer's Market today. If I were a rich man, I would buy ever fiddlehead sprout up! Have a great weekend!
They are cool looking in that unfurling state. Never heard about eating them though.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Hi Michael, I had to reread the date of this post to check I wasn't the April fool.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of eating the unfurling fronds of ferns.
I only grow Ostrich Ferns here (which might not be edible) and New Zealand Tree Fern which is as sacred in our garden. I'd be in big trouble if I harvested those magiical croziers.
I wonder if theres an outlet where I could buy them. The salad look delicious.
Paul
Hi Cher and Paul! The edible fiddlehead comes from Matteuccia struthiopteris or the Ostrich Fern.
ReplyDeletePaul - you don't have to look any further than your garden to enjoy a similar salad. Happy Eating!
Hi, Michael - I never see fiddleheads without thinking of the bishops' croziers, like Paul above. That would be my name for them. I didn't realize they were edible! What cheese would you use with them?
ReplyDeleteHi Mark! I like the image of the crozier and, in fact, I think it is more appropriate than fiddlehead! However, fiddlehead they are known in New England and fiddlehead they remain, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI like fiddleheads with a creamy goat cheese as a cold dish and with pecorino romano with a warm dish.
That salad looks delicious. And very stylish too!
ReplyDeleteWell there you go, Michael, that's two thinks I've learnt - I didn't know they were called fiddleheads, and I certainly didn't know they were edible! How could you?! Does look a very artistic salad though, but I'm not convinced...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ferns, I didn't know that you could eat some of those.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
I haven't tried eating ferns yet. I have a bunch of ferns in my garden as well. They give my house a compelling look. By the way, that salad looks delicious.
ReplyDeletesynthetic grass