Fiddleheads

[flipper]

I see they are coming up already. I like to eat a few with a bit of butter.

[K2]

A pic would be wonderful, plz. Am unable to locate in N MN, locations where likely to find?

Thanks Much

K2

[flipper]

These ferns do best in damp, low-lying areas

[K2]

I thank u greatly. May the forest always feed u!

K2

[Matt Breuer]

They grow everywhere, damp, dry, ditches, logging rod edges, etc... Once you know which fern to look for (ostrich), you'll never pass 'em by again! They are delicious... The ones I have in my yard are just starting to tip through the bases... won't be long!

[reinhard1]

i used to take some Korean ladies to central Minnesota and up north at times just to pick these fern tips. brought back bags of them. they are great to eat. just snap off the few inches of the tender top. these fern tops were very expensive to buy in Korea, so they could not have been happier when i showed them a few spots. good luck.

[itchmesir]

Now my understanding is that the fiddleheads that are covered in that light grey/light brown huskish type stuff(almost looks like spanish moss) are not edible.. right?

[reinhard1]

i had to google "ostrich ferns" that Matt B mentioned and i think Flipper had a picture of. you can see the stages of when to harvest them. it's only when they first come up and the curl starts is when you pick the tenter tops along with an inch or more of the stem from the curl. it also has nutritional value. they should be cooked and not eated raw. good luck.

[pushbutton]

There are a few other types of ferns you can eat, but ostrich is the most common and easily identified. To be safe it is probably best to wait till next year until after identifying them this year. Over time you will get used to recognizing them in their dormant state as well. Like almost all plants the ostrich fern has some toxins that some people might react to. Always best to introduce slowly and boil for a while before sauteing. Like Matt's, a few of mine are just starting to creep out. Will also snap some pics when they come up.

[Matt Breuer]

Look for a v-channel in the stem. PIck them before the frond unfurls. Leave the seeded ferns alone, with the "seeds" hanging out the side of the stem, these are bracken or cinnamon ferns, and are carcinogenic...

[flipper]

And do not overharvest the fiddleheads. Leave plenty there to regenerate.

[Matt Breuer]

Better pic...