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…
Ferns
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…