A Walk in the Woods and a Bracken Fern Forage
A Walk in the Woods and a Bracken Fern Forage
Photography by Marie Viljoen.
Photography by Marie Viljoen.
For a city dweller who pays attention to plants, a walk in the woods can be the best part of a vacation. These bracken fiddleheads are an ephemeral treat for the next night’s dinner, or a pickle to serve at picnics months hence, and seasons later.
For a city dweller who pays attention to plants, a walk in the woods can be the best part of a vacation. These bracken fiddleheads are an ephemeral treat for the next night’s dinner, or a pickle to serve at picnics months hence, and seasons later.
In the boreal forest, conifers create a dappled pool of shade where ferns luxuriate and clear tannic water runs quietly.
In the boreal forest, conifers create a dappled pool of shade where ferns luxuriate and clear tannic water runs quietly.
The unfurling fronds of woodland-loving ostrich fern.
The unfurling fronds of woodland-loving ostrich fern.
Unlike many plants, whose native range is limited to a region within a continent, bracken fern – Pteridium aquilinum – seems to occupy a sneak niche in terms of its native status: It is at home almost everywhere, in every hemisphere.
Unlike many plants, whose native range is limited to a region within a continent, bracken fern – Pteridium aquilinum – seems to occupy a sneak niche in terms of its native status: It is at home almost everywhere, in every hemisphere.
A serpentine bracken fiddlehead.
A serpentine bracken fiddlehead.
Bluebead lilies throng the cool woodland floor.
Bluebead lilies throng the cool woodland floor.
A handful of blanched bracken fiddleheads. Just like the more familiar ostrich fern in the United States and Canada, bracken’s fiddleheads should be eaten in moderation as a seasonal treat, and never raw.
A handful of blanched bracken fiddleheads. Just like the more familiar ostrich fern in the United States and Canada, bracken’s fiddleheads should be eaten in moderation as a seasonal treat, and never raw.
Bracken fern fiddleheads are known as warabi in Japan.
Bracken fern fiddleheads are known as warabi in Japan.
Shoyu and vinegar preserve the blanched fiddleheads.
Shoyu and vinegar preserve the blanched fiddleheads.
These supple fiddlehead pickles are a delight. • 1 ¼ cups shoyu (I use Ohsawa nama shoyu). To Blanch: After soaking for 24 hours, drain the ferns. To Pickle: Mix together the shoyu, vinegar, sugar and salt.
Pickled Bracken Fern Fiddleheads
Is bracken fern edible.
Is bracken fern edible.
Yes, after proper preparation, bracken fern fiddleheads are edible.
