Flower of the Week

Can't take our eyes off of this AMAZING fiddlehead fern!!! Must share with you!!!!!!

Fiddleheads are the coiled croziers of the ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, which is found in an almost continuous belt in the north temperature zone around the world.

However, it is only in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the state of Maine that its use as a spring delicacy has developed and thrived. While the native habitats of the ostrich fern are the lightly shaded woodlands, on the fertile alluvial soils along rivers, the plant will readily adapt to the home garden. Fiddleheads can be grown in vegetable gardens or incorporated as part of your landscaping in shaded areas.

Fiddleheads prefer partial shade. Growth will be suppressed in full sunlight or in excessively shaded areas.

In parts of the world fiddlehead ferns have been eaten for centuries. In Australia, New Zealand and Asia, they are a part of a traditional diet. The young, tender fiddlehead ferns are prepared and eaten like leaf vegetables. Each culture has a preference as to how the fiddlehead ferns are prepared and eaten.

In Indonesia, they would be eaten in a spicy coconut sauce. Koreans prepare the ferns as a side dish that resembles sauteed vegetables. In Japan, they are a delicacy when roasted. In North America and Canada, the ferns are boiled or steamed and then eaten with melted butter or vinegar.

(photo on right from Kristin Spencer Photography)