Identifying and Harvesting Fiddleheads

[@TheUniversityofMaine]

Thank you for the question. There probably will be species other than ostrich ferns, but you can use these three identifying characteristics of the one to eat: smooth lower stem, deep inner u-shaped groove on stem, brown papery covering when fiddleheads are first emerging. If the fiddleheads don't have all three of these features, then it's not an ostrich fern fiddlehead and should not be eaten. For more information on fiddleheads we also have a publication on our website.

[@TheUniversityofMaine]

Thank you for the question. We recommend sticking with ostrich ferns.

[@chargerfish1]

What type of soil do they thrive in? Last April/May I went to a local river with many swampy flats with silty/sandy soil and small trees and I couldn't find any of the edible ones, but I've gone to rivers a few towns away several years ago and have gotten many.

[@algigirl]

hi one question the fiddle heads in United Kingdom are they edible or whether the same characteristics applies such as u Grove ..brown papery ? in fat east almost all fiddle head is edible. in fact the sprouting leafs are edible too. the roots are spreading underneath so it is not killed if they harvested all the fronds but a news fiddle head will pop out.

[@dkulikowski]

I have Ostrich and Cinnamon Ferns growing together. Are both edible? Both look like fiddleheads, or am I wrong?

[@UMaineExtension1]

Fiddleheads can be safely cooked by boiling or steaming. To boil, bring lightly salted water to a rolling boil and add washed fiddleheads. The water should fully cover fiddleheads when added. Bring the water back to a steady boil and hold for 15 minutes. To steam, bring a small amount of water to a boil preferably in steam apparatus. Add washed clean fiddleheads and steam for 10-12 minutes. Sautéing, stir-frying or microwaving ostrich fern fiddleheads are NOT recommended methods for cooking.

[@modawg8k]

In pa too?

[@TheUniversityofMaine]

As fiddleheads are the tightly coiled fern frond that many species of ferns have, but only the ostrich fern fiddlehead is recommended to eat.

[@redbeardsbirds3747]

Are Fiddleheads found in most areas of North America? I've always thought they grow primarily along the Northwestern Pacific coastal areas like the Olympic Peninsula? I live in Alabama and would love to try cooking these.

[@slabdab4202]

Only in the north

[@doricetimko332]

Thank you

[@misscinrose]

Great video! 👍🏿

[@mrsengeseth]

love fiddleheads, but since moving away, i can't get them anymore fresh.

[@charronfamilyconnect]

I read that these are carcinogenic. Is this true? I want to eat some up but am afraid of getting cancer. Can anyone shed some light? Thanks!

[@shiftlessxl]

The bracken fern has a bit of carcinogen. Cook them to remove the carcinogen as it is not heat stable. It's about the same level as like, say, potato chips or grilled steak when the bracken fern is raw.

[@charronfamilyconnect]

shiftlessxl Thanks for your reply! I actually ate some up yesterday. Its alot better tasting than I thought. Yummy! Now I know where to get them and will eat them for many years to come.

[@therealtroy8275]

Oh, I love Dave

[@UMaineExtension1]

Fiddleheads can't be eaten raw! Foodborne illness symptoms associated with the consumption of raw or lightly cooked fiddleheads include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and headaches. These symptoms generally occur within 30 minutes to 12 hours after eating raw or undercooked fiddleheads. This foodborne illness typically lasts less than 24 hours, but some cases could last up to three days. Seek medical attention if you have consumed raw or undercooked fiddleheads.

[@sopoelectrician]

Any issue with consuming them raw?

[@barbaragookin]

YES, you will poison yourself. Do not eat them raw.

[@kielbasathief9576]

I have foragers who eat it raw. I'd consider where'd you get them. And Rinse them off. Kinda like Berry's on the vine

[@j.s8607]

Lmao I always thought these were picked in the waters

[@SamuelSchaperow]

Might there be other species there? Many places have some kinds. Sam Schaperow, M.S. tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Plantforagers tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/MushroomTalk

[@billy_dingo7]

Why is this video showing on my recommended list some 7 years after it was made? I have no interest in any UM facility, or, fiddleheads. That might be more of a KZbin question perhaps. Odd way to intro..."I work with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension as an agriculture and [ NON TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS PROFESSIONALS] In other words "don't confuse me with those Timber Forest Product Professionals?