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Matteuccia Struthiopteris (Ostrich fern
fiddlehead greens) grow wild along the banks
for fresh waterways, at the edge of marshlands
and in open woodlands. They can be harvested
for only about two weeks in the spring. Pick
hem by breaking off a few fronds from each
clump you find. Don't take a whole cluster, so
that there will be plenty of fiddleheads in
that spot next year. Take only the rich, deep
green ones, which should be firm and still
tightly curled, about two inches long and about
1 1/2 inch in diameter. As the stalk grows, the
fiddlehead frond unrolls into a soft and
feathery fern, beautiful to look at but no
longer good to eat.
Before cooking, shuck off the thin brownish husk and rinse the fiddleheads well under cold running water. They taste like a cross between asparagus, broccoli and grean beans. DO NOT EAT THEM RAW! Fiddleheads are the perfect springtime treat because they are abundant in protein, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, protein and potassium as well as Vitamins A, B and C, Niacin, Copper and Manganese. They are low in sodium and cholestorel. Depending on how they are cooked, fiddleheads can taste mild or bitter. For mild flavor, boil them for about 8 minutes, completely immersed in the water. For a more bitter taste (similar to rapini) steam the greens for 8 minutes, then drain and seaon with a dash of vinegar, your favorite herbal seasonings, or freshly squeezed lemon. Add salt and butter if you like, or cheese sauce. Serve as you would any vegetable. A popular folk remedy is dried fiddlehead tea with a spoonful of olive oil and a dash of salt for constipation. It is also an ingredient for spring tonic when brewed up with garlic and various other ingredients that vary from one old wives tale to another. For more about fiddleheads, including some recipes, click here. |
Courtyard
~ Table of Contents ~
Feverfew
Lavender Ladybugs Thyme Bay Laurel Mint Answers to Spring Equinox Quix Dandelion for Spring Tonic Daffodil Quiz Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: THE SACRED OAK Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: VERVAIN Beltaine Treasure Hunt '08: MARIGOLDS AND MAIDENS Beltaine Treasure Hunt '08: THE CHARM OF IVY Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: GREEN WHEAT EARS Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: FLAX BLOSSOMS Beltaine Treasure Hunt '08 - GARLIC Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: EGLANTINE Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: Magical Fern Seeds Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: BOX SPRIGS Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: APPLE Holly Crocus Brighid's Imbolc Garden Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: Hawthorn Cure for Fairy Stroke Cure for ElfShot Cure for Flea Infestation Cure for Giggling Fits Hemorrhoid Remedy Flatulence Itching Love Spell Cure Warts & Carbuncles |
