Fiddleheads

[shortfatguy]

I have been finding clumps of fiddleheads on my walks in the woods. They have a kind of fuzzy white covering on them. Its not like a mold. Looks more like part of the plant. My question is, can this be peeled off and then the fiddle heads cooked? Or is this not the correct type of fern to eat? Thanks

[pushbutton]

Stay away from those fury ones, probably is an interrupted fern that has some toxicity to it. Some people boil it off, but you got to really be hungry to do that and would be eating mush.

Bad Pic and bad fiddlehead

Better pic and better fiddlehead. These can sometimes have a husk to them, but not the fur. You will also often see old brown seed heads from the previous year with the ostrich fern. You will not find these with the interrupted. Also if you look closely at the pic, on one of the stalks you will see a u shape to it....this is also another way to tell between some of the "good" and "bad" ferns. The ones you are finding almost certainly are round stalks.

[shortfatguy]

Thanks for the info. Went back out and found some of the good ones! No shrooms yet though. Now to try cooking them! Any tips?

[shortfatguy]

Steamed them for about 15 minutes. Topped with butter, salt, and a drizzle of balsamic!! I will definitely be going back for more!!!

[pushbutton]

Would have never thought about steaming....guess I don't have a steamer though Whatever works is the best way to prepare them and it sounds like that worked for great for you The big trick is to cook them long enough to get rid of any bitterness without making them too soft. I usually boil them for 4 to 5 minutes to get the funk out, then sear/toss them in in olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper ect. Also would have never thought of balsamic....bet it was good....have done lemon juice, or olives or capers for that acid. Instead of salting, gorgonzola or feta is nice to add at the end.....as well as goat cheese for a creamier texture.

[shortfatguy]

I just use a collander in a large pot to steam stuff. And the balsamic was a good addition. if I do them that way again I will steam them for about 10 minutes. I like your idea of par boiling and frying too. Gotta try that!

[Matt Breuer]

Most of the "furry" ones you see are probably cinnamon ferns. Some say they are edible, but carcinogenic. Others say to stay away from them. I only pick ostrich ferns... a buddy only picks brackens (delicacy in China).

No matter what, if you want your spot to last, be sure to only pick a couple from each cluster!