Ferns abound in forests. They also grow in some gardens and in some apartments they ensure a healthy indoor climate. But are these plants edible or should one be careful not to eat them?

The ostrich fern is edible

Highly toxic and slightly toxic ferns - difficult to distinguish

Who likes to voluntarily take the risk of poisoning? Therefore, it is better not to eat fern. Many species native to this country are highly toxic. And for the few that are mildly toxic, you may find it difficult to distinguish them from the rest.

Since ferns neither produce flowers nor fruits, but can mainly be recognized by their fronds, it can be difficult to distinguish a highly toxic bracken from a less toxic ostrich fern. Even experts can usually only tell ferns from one another with certainty based on the color and arrangement of the spore capsules. But spores are not always present…

Fern tips - delicacies?

In some parts of the world, the tips of some fern species are considered a delicacy. Among others, they are eaten with pleasure in Canada, parts of the USA, Korea, Japan and New Zealand. It is the young and not yet unrolled leaves that are used in the kitchen. They are called 'fiddleheads' in America and are even commercially available as a popular spring vegetable.

Ostrich fern and cinnamon fern are edible

Ostrich fern and cinnamon fern are considered food:

  • Native American tribes were already making drinks from it
  • after colonization, the tops were roasted, fried, or steamed
  • available all year round in America frozen or pickled
  • Flavor: Mixture of asparagus and spinach

Gathering and preparation of the fern tips

The young, tender and still curled fronds are collected. They are then carefully washed, freed from the brown husk and then cooked. They can be boiled, steamed, broiled or fried. The bitter aftertaste disappears through the cooking process. The fern tips are often served with butter and salt.

tips and tricks

If you want to try fern tips, you'd better not harvest them yourself. The risk of confusion is too high! It is better to buy the fern tips over the Internet, for example pickled, or to taste them in a restaurant on a holiday in America.

Category:

Vegetable garden