FAQs about Fresh Fiddlehead Ferns

We've looked to the experts at University of Maine to help us answer some frequently asked questions:

Cleaning Fiddleheads
Fiddleheads can be cleaned by first placing them in a colander and thoroughly rinse/spray them off with clean cold potable water. Placing the rinsed fiddlehead in a bowl full of clean cool potable water should follow rinsing to remove the remainder of the brown papery coverings, and repeat as needed. They should appear clean at this point.

How do I clean fresh fiddlehead ferns?  First, place them in a colander and thoroughly rinse/spray them off with clean cold potable water. Then, place them in a bowl full of clean cool potable water to remove the remainder of the brown papery coverings, and repeat as needed. They should appear clean at this point.

How do I store fresh fiddlehead ferns? Keep fiddlehead ferns refrigerated until you are ready to cook or preserve them. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

How do I cook fresh fiddlehead ferns? We recommend either boiling or steaming.

• Boiling Bring lightly salted water in a pot to a rolling boil and add washed fiddleheads. The water should fully cover fiddleheads when added. Bring the water back to a steady boil and hold for 15 minutes. 

• Steaming Bring a small amount of water to a boil preferably in steam apparatus. Add washed clean fiddleheads and steam for 10-12 minutes. 

Serve at once with optional melted butter and/or vinegar. The sooner they are eaten, the more delicate their flavor.

Note: Sautéing, stir-frying or microwaving ostrich fern fiddleheads are NOT recommended methods for cooking fiddleheads. Fiddleheads should be boiled or steamed prior to use in recipes which use further cooking methods like sauteing, stir-frying or baking.
How do I preserve fresh fiddlehead ferns?  View this great video on preserving fiddleheads from U of Maine!


For more recipes, see the University of Maine's webpage dedicated to fresh fiddlehead ferns!

Buy now:  Ruma's Fiddleheads are here!