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Fiddleheads in Season Now

Mon, 05/12/2008 - 8:00am by FitSugar
1,643 Views - 11 comments

Next time you are at the grocery store or farmers market, be on the look out for fiddleheads. Not some crazy violinist, but baby ostrich ferns, all coiled up so they resemble the scroll of a violin. They really are a delicacy and May is the time to eat them.

I must warn you though, these green plants must not be eaten raw, since they contain natural substances that can cause gastric distress if not cooked properly. So just boil them for five to seven minutes or steam them for eight, until they're just tender. You may notice that the water turns brown, which is totally normal. Be careful not to overcook them as they'll become mushy and lose their wonderful flavor, which is similar to a blend of pea pods, asparagus, and artichoke.

Are these green veggies exceptionally healthy for you? To find out read more.

I was pretty impressed to find out that 3.5 ounces of fiddleheads contain only 34 calories, but an impressive 4.6 grams of protein, 370 mg of potassium, and 32 mg of calcium. So take advantage of this short season and pick some up this week. They're around $8 to $12 a pound. You can add cooked fiddleheads to pasta dishes, salads, or eat them on their own.

Fit's Tips: It's very important to know that not all ferns are edible, so it's not a great idea to go out picking fiddleheads in the woods near your house, unless you or someone you know has identified them as edible and safe. Unfortunately, fiddleheads are hard to come by outside of the northeastern US. If you can get your hands on some you are lucky!

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11 Comments Add a Comment

  • chellybean's picture
    chellybean
    2

    At my fave brunch spot they had a fiddlehead/garlic omelette this morning. It was delish!

    7 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • kiddylnd's picture
    kiddylnd
    3

    Oh, my son and I saw these @ the Farmer's Market yesterday and we didn't know what they were or how to cook. A day late! Oh well...next week.

    7 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • emalove's picture
    emalove
    4

    I've never tried these! But if they taste like artichokes and asparagus, I'm pretty sure I'd love them.

    7 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • nancita's picture
    nancita
    5

    Wow, I've heard of fiddleheads but I had no idea they were edible.

    7 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • kia's picture
    kia
    6

    I was glad to see the NE U.S. distribution because I have never seen these at a market and I do keep my eyes open for things to try.

    7 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • missyd's picture
    missyd
    7

    These are HUGE here in Canada. And so plentiful. People adore them.

    7 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • yogadarla's picture
    yogadarla
    8

    i have never tried these but they are pretty!
    i imagine i will LOVE them - i even love the dreaded brussels sprouts.

    7 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • MindayH's picture
    MindayH
    10

    I am pretty sure I would remember seeing these if I saw them at the farmer's market, but now I am going to look for them!

    7 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment

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