It's Fiddlehead Season

Fiddlehead ferns are a sign of Spring here in Maine.

Ayuh . . . we eat 'em!

  

They're called Fiddleheads because their shape resembles the curved head of a fiddle, or violin.

The ferns grow wild in wet areas. Finding them in the wild is not easy. Locals who know where fiddleheads can be harvested tend to be very secretive about their locations. For most of us, that means rushing to the local market when word gets around town that "the fiddleheads are in".

 

These fiddleheads are washed (you need to rinse them well, more than once) and ready to cook.

We enjoyed them Monday night.

 

 

 Cooked fiddleheads taste a bit like asparagus.

They can be steamed or sautéed.

I love them with just a little butter and salt.

 

They're often served with other foods unique to Maine . . . like red snappers, our much-loved bright  red hot dogs  . . .

 

Like these cooked on the grill at our favorite Maine campground . . .

Red hot dogs at Searsport Shores

Or with another Maine favorite, lobster!

photo  from lobster bake at Searsport Shores

Fiddleheads are so iconic here that the very word has inspired names around the state. There are Fiddlehead Farms, Fiddlehead Restaurants, a Fiddlehead School, a Fiddlehead Campground and a Fiddlehead Arts Center.

The spiral shape of the fiddlehead is an inspiration for local artists  . . .




Black and white drawing by Maine artist Jennifer Lawson.

and even jewelers.


Fiddlehead green Maine Tourmeline ring is from Cross Jewelers, Portland

For now though, I'll have my fiddleheads steamed ,  with just a little butter and salt!