Fiddlehead fern recipes?

[Dragonflye]

I just fried some up tonight in butter and added them to a regular salad...yum! Anyone else like these delicacies and have recipes to share?

 

[IvoryCrayon]

I never heard of them.
What are they?

 

[Rickman]

Fiddlehead Fern recipe from someone named DragonFlye located in the Frozen Tundra.......Hmmmm.......A bit suspicious maybe?

 

[Chinniechantel]

Haha, I have heard of them, they look really cute! Never tried them though...what do they taste like?

 

[Solarsis]

I LOVE fiddle heads! We usually steam them and add butter or cheese. mmmmm

Chantel, the closest I could describe the taste as is a mix between broccoli and spinach.

 

[eroomlorac]

But doesn't taking the fiddleheads off kill the fern? I never knew you could eat them.

 

[Solarsis]

here's some more info (and some recipes) on fiddleheads http://fresh-fiddleheads.com/

I'm not sure about the fern being killed off but I know these are harvested in pretty large quantities and the ferns do return each year.

 

[Dragonflye]

The ferns return if they are not overpicked...here is a bit about them...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiddlehead_fern

I had ffs fried in butter one night and in a soup the following night. They remind me a bit of asparagus for some reason.

 

[Rickman]

I've never seen or heard of them around the Chicagoland area, hence my doubt. Are they available in the lower 48? I personally love asparagas, if microwaved and still crispy, but my Ma used to use a "pressure cooker", and I hated them limp and mushy!

 

[Dragonflye]

I'm in Vermont...so they are probably available by you. I got mine at the local health food store. It wasn't cheap at $6.99/lb, but it's only available this time a year so I can never resist.

 

[Rickman]

This is very interesting - my wife is from Indiana, and also never heard of them - I guess I'll check out a few of the veggie stands!!

 

[Dragonflye]

I think you'll enjoy them. I'm going to get another batch this weekend and fry 'em up! Yum!

 

[Rickman]

I might have to have you send me some - 2 places I've called never heard of them!

 

[Solarsis]

Rickman, they are common mostly along the east coast states and eastern Canada.