Fiddlehead Ferns - Harvest to Table

[@carleenmessina5022]

I have these all over my property near Manchester. I’m looking for them to come up soon

[@kriyakale2692]

That seems delicious 😋

[@Louloupetals]

How am I 55 and just tasting these now for the first time?!! 🤦‍♀️

[@MelodyMcclendon]

I haven't tasted them yet but I will go buy some tomorrow!

[@sheriashton3591]

Is the paper toxic? I’m paranoid about getting these cleaned enough. Thanks!

[@RedlineGuiding]

Not poisonous so don't worry too much.

[@sheriashton3591]

@@RedlineGuiding wow, interesting, that’s what everyone is saying,,,that they’re poisonous. Ok thank you

[@RedlineGuiding]

@@sheriashton3591 you do want to remove everything as much as possible, but usually if stomach upset occurs it's because the fiddleheads weren't cleaned thoroughly enough and/or they weren't properly blanched to remove the tannins. I found this online. "Proper handling and thorough cooking of fiddleheads can reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Wash fresh fiddleheads several times in fresh cold water. Remove as much of the brown husk as possible from the fiddleheads. Cook in boiling water for 15 minutes or steam for 10 to 12 minutes until tender." I don't boil them for as long as this, though.

[@sheriashton3591]

@@RedlineGuiding ok great, thank you for the further info. I thought boiling for that long would take away a good bite, I think they’ll soften too much but, I will def wash thoroughly and par boil, prob 5 to 10 min no longer

[@curtispartain7352]

I want to try these? Where can I find them? I live in Texas?

[@RedlineGuiding]

From Google: Most Fiddlehead Ferns grow in New England and parts of Southern Canada, but they can be found in any wet area along edges of rivers, streams, and in wet, swampy areas, even in South Texas. Wet is the key pattern for them.

[@giselelavallee7259]

Place them in a mason jar then open the freezer bag and flip inside down.... Voila!

[@RedlineGuiding]

Good idea

[@com2375]

I found some a moment ago. They are fuzzy at the moment. I had them many yrs ago

[@RedlineGuiding]

Beware! If there's fuzz, they might not be fiddleheads.

[@justme_GG_1177]

@com2375 If they're fuzzy they're not edible the Edibles will have a celery like stock to them, in the edible fiddleheads will also have like a brown skin like that comes right off to the touch

[@MrPenobe]

Should just snap them. They don't care to much for being cut & can kill the pod.

[@Aluttuh]

My local park i used to have HUNDREDS probaby thousands of ferns and was extremely lush until foreign immigrants started harvesting the fern tips and killed everything. Harvest sustainably please.