Fiddlehead is a young fern and it is harvested in the wild in Maine only in the Spring. I see them growing in abundance in the Northeast. They are tender and delicious. I remember many years ago my friends' father, Mr. Armstrong introduced me to fiddleheading near their home. I was surprised to see so many of them growing wild in the field. I harvested a huge bag from that day's outing. My parents' friends in Maine harvest fiddlehead every Spring would give them some. My mother would freeze a small portion for me. It is best when you can eat the fresh ones. However, the frozen fiddleheads are still quite tasty. I normally like to cook my fiddlehead as simply as possible and it usually involves adding a little fish sauce!
Sautéed Fiddlehead and Garlic (serves 3-4 as part of shared meal)
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb fiddlehead
1 Tbsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, smashed and chopped
1 Tbsp fish sauce (or to your taste)
4 garlic cloves, smashed and chopped
1 Tbsp fish sauce (or to your taste)
A pinch of sugar
Method:
1) Heat oil in a medium size pan over medium high heat.
2) Once the pan is hot add garlic. Saute for about 1 minute (avoid burning the garlic).
3) Add the fiddlehead. Saute for about 5 minutes.
4) Add fish sauce and sugar. Saute for about another minute.
Method:
1) Heat oil in a medium size pan over medium high heat.
2) Once the pan is hot add garlic. Saute for about 1 minute (avoid burning the garlic).
3) Add the fiddlehead. Saute for about 5 minutes.
4) Add fish sauce and sugar. Saute for about another minute.
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fern plants growing along both sides of the path and in the woods (Isle au Haut, Maine, 2013) |
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