cinnamon fern are often count a delicacy , but opt the wrong ones can mean toxic condition . The ostrich fern fiddlehead is the most popular fiddlehead in the Northeastern United States , and one of the most - prefer amongst chef . Growers have been cultivating them , with wide-ranging success , for centuries .
Growing Conditions for Ostrich Fern Fiddleheads
Ostrich fern favor cool , damp weather and swampland ’s plentiful soil . In the natural state , they are commonly bump near river and current where the ground is smashed and gamy in nutrient . For cultivation , raiser usually mimic these stipulation with dirt selection and lacrimation .
Although gardener are not always successful in growing fiddleheads , the best solution is to mimic their instinctive environment as close as possible . establish in the coolheaded atmospheric condition of the early spring ( or even in the fall ) and keeping soil moist are most important . protect the fiddlehead sprout from pestis that would eat up them is also important .
Identifying Ostrich Fern Fiddleheads
The fiddlehead is the young , coiled leaf of the ostrich fern . They are so named because they take care like the scroll on the neck of a violin ( violin ) . Most ferns spring up fiddleheads , so distinguish the right type to pick is important .
Ostrich fern fiddleheads are about an inch in diameter and have a brown , papery , scale - like covering on the uncoiled fern and a fluid fern root . The inscrutable , U - shaped rut along the interior of the fern stem is a giveaway . Check out thisvideo on fiddlehead identificationfrom the University of Maine for more entropy . They commonly bundle in radical of 3 to 12 near river , streams and brooks in April and May . Remember to leave behind enough fiddleheads to corroborate a fresh crop the following year .
Cooking Fiddleheads
The most democratic means to cook ostrich fern is the same mode you would prepare Brussels sprouts or like solid food . They should be boiled in urine for about ten minutes , then blanched to keep them from getting too sonant . Always moil or steam for at least 10 minutes , because they can carry a toxic sum that produces food poisoning symptom in some people , if they are not well - cooked . They are best feed immediately . Refrigeration tends to curl and yield them , make them less tasty . Fresh fiddleheads can be refrigerate for up to a week , however .
They can be preserved in the same way , by cleaning and moil them , then parboil and freezing in an air - tight container . Pickling is another method that many have start trying . formula normally include boiled vinegar and spices ( mere salt to complex mix of nutmeg and capsicum pepper plant ) and the usual canning method of boiled jars . Sugar can be added to make angelic pickles of the fiddleheads .
Want to learn more about Ostrich fern fiddleheads?
Ostrich Fern Poisoningfrom Centers for Disease ControlFacts on Fiddleheadsfrom University of Maine
CC flickr pic byDana Moos
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CC flickr photo by Dana Moos
