Fiddleheads © Denzil Green A fiddlehead is the top of a fern when it first pokes through the ground in spring, curled up like the head of a fiddle. They are only available for 3 weeks in May. They are still mostly gathered from the wild, though commercial production is being explored. They taste something […]
Warabi
Warabi is a fern that grows wild in Japan and elsewhere in the world, such as Hawaii. The plant can grow up to 27 ½ inches (70 cm) tall and 15 ¾ inches (40 cm) wide. Its young, unopened leaves are harvested in the early spring. They are then soaked overnight, then blanched before using […]
Zenmai
Zenmai ferns grow in Korea, China, Taiwan, Himalayas, and Japan. Slightly larger than warabi ferns, they grow up to 3 feet (1 metre) tall. The plants do well in both shade and full sun, but prefer moist soil by ponds, streams, and rivers. They are hardy down to -4 F (-20 C) and will stay […]