Fiddleheads---a Springtime Treat!

[redhen]

question...how can i be sure i'm not harvesting the woodland ones that can make me ill? thanks, Wendy

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Super-interesting!!

 

[NurseNettie]

Oh man, I do love these!! I've never picked them, however-- and have to see if I can find some very very soon. I moved to Maine a year ago, and so far, nobody is willing to "share" their secrets ( they do share the fiddleheads, though!)

For those of you who pick, eat, and "know" fiddleheads... this will give you a laugh.. Last spring, one of the local stores advertised their fiddleheads as 'fresh ORGANIC fiddleheads"... We got a great giggle at work and all said "as opposed to what???"

I can't wait for some!! Yum!

 

[EweSheep]

Can you guys GROW fiddleheads?

 

[frugal]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

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Thanks for the kind words and expect you're too late for the south.

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The best way to learn how to forage is to go out with a seasoned forager from your area. They will know about your area. Woodland ferns will make you ill, only the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris --- they grow in shady areas near water) are good to eat.

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Now that's classic, ORGANIC fiddleheads!

 

[redhen]

Frugal, can i find these now? I live in Western Ma. (is it the right time of year for us here?) and i live by water, my yard abuts a wet lands(fancy name for a swamp) in the woods and the river is also on my road. i'm going looking for some!

 

[junebug7334]

ya, I live in Va and love to do things like this! Very interesting! thanks a lot.

 

[Rosalind]

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Now is a good time for them in Massachusetts.

I was going to go collect some yesterday, as we have swamps all around, but my Wellies are full of holes.

 

[frugal]

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Massachusetts is probably prime right now.


If anyone needs some extra cash, foraging fiddleheads could help. For a couple of weeks each year many people make a considerable amount of extra money foraging them. When I was younger I sold fiddleheads to restaurants, health food stores, specialty shops and individuals.

There are usually brokers who ship to the cities if you don't have your own customers and the market never seems to be saturated.

 

[chickabator]

I would love to try them but I or my dh have never even heard of them before and it is probably too late in Ky for them. but I did find hickory chickens in my front yard sunday. boy them thangs are so good.