Monday, August 15, 2016

F for Fiddlehead

ABC Wednesday
August 17th, 2016

The letter is F for Fiddlehead



Chock full of vitamin A and C fiddlehead greens are a nutritional powerhouse rich in antioxidants, and a great source of fibre and omega-3 fatty acids.  The furled fronds of a young fern, the fiddleheads are harvested early in the season before the frond has opened and are cut fairly close to the ground.

Over-picking will eventually kill the plant, and it is important to maintain sustainable harvesting, whether you are growing them commercially or out in the woods  where it is damp, and the ferns grow freely.




Fiddleheads have been part of traditional diets for centuries in much of France, across Asia, and among Native Americans.  With a flavouring similar to asparagus this springtime veggie goes well in soups, salads and pastas - and quiche too!

Bring some potatoes, celery, onion, water, stock and salt and pepper to a boil, - cover and simmer about twenty minutes or until veggies are tender.  Add fiddleheads and simmer until they are tender too and you have a nice creamy fiddlehead soup.



Of course there is a Band, too that is called Fiddlehead Soup, - one which has a delightfully unique sound well known in the community in which they play (in eastern Ontario, Canada)

Fiddlehead Soup sings and plays English, Scottish, Irish, French, Spanish, Icelandic, Finnish, Northern Sami, Uyghur and Italian music, as well as their own compositions.  (I am not familiar with Uyghur music, but I plan to listen and discover.....





Glenna Hunter, Doug Hendry and Ursa Meyer. Band members.
The ladies are mother and daughter.















There is also a well known Canadian Literary Magazine called The Fiddlehead, 
and a Radio Pod Cast associated with it, both of which can be
found online.



For more interesting Fs click here to visit ABC Wednesday,
with thanks to Roger, Denise, Leslie and those helpers who frantically visit
the contributors to ABC Wednesday each week.

13 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

We have eaten them many times in Canada when on holiday and we have loved them. I have never seen them on sale here in the UK though.

MelodyK said...

I don't know them... never seen them as well.... how intriging to get to know about food that is not familiar....
I will see if it is to purchase here in my hometown/country

All in all, makes it an educative and very good choise for this weeks letter!


Have a nice ABC-W-day / – week
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc-w-team)
http://melodymusic.nl/19-f/

photowannabe said...

I have never tasted fiddleheads but they sounds delightful, especially the soup you posted.
The band is pretty good too. (:0)

Trubes said...

What a most informative and interesting piece,
The soup looks delicious and the FIDDLERS FROM the 'FIDDLEHEADS'
have a FANTASTIC sound.
Thanks for sharing this with us,

Best wishes,
Di.x
ABCW team.

Leslie: said...

I took some photos of the fern fronds in the garden of my new place but had no idea they were edible! Maybe next year, I'll sneak a few and try them out.

Leslie
abcw team

Photo Cache said...

I heard they are edible, but I haven't tried them yet.

My ABC WEDNESDAY

Reader Wil said...

I learnt something new today, for I didn't know anything about fiddlehead. I also like the music, which sounds somewhat celtic.
Have a great week, Hildred

Roger Owen Green said...

I always appreciate the music!

ROG, ABCW

ellen b. said...

Love this post on fiddleheads for the letter F! I have to bookmark this post to remember to do something with fiddleheads. We have many wild ferns that spring up in our yard.

Amit Agarwal said...

Great take on 'F'
Glad to learn about Fiddleheads..Thank you:)

Morning's Minion said...

Picking fiddleheads in Vermont was a cherished springtime event when my mother-in-law was alive. We served them steamed with a dollop of butter and a splash of lemon juice. Good memories.

Joy said...

I will look at ferns with more interest now. I've never heard of this delicacy.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Those ferns are so pretty! I've never picked any as I've only seen them in parks . The soup sounds good; so does the music.