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Post by raporter on Apr 8, 2010 19:34:39 GMT -5
Anyone ever eat them. Been trying to research them and find they are all called fiddleheads when small but the recipes call for ostrich ferns. Be something else to pick while mushroom hunting.
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Post by Decatur on Apr 9, 2010 17:26:19 GMT -5
I thought they only grew on the east coast? I'm not sure why I think that, just seems I read that somewhere.
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Post by danf on Apr 10, 2010 22:26:45 GMT -5
Ostrich ferns are a cultivated species- Matteuccia struthiopteris.
My suppliers catalog lists them as USDA hardiness zone 3-8, which is well within the range of Indiana winters. You'd need moist, well drained soil to effectively grow them, preferably somewhat high in organic content (compost).
The "fiddleheads" are the young growth of the fern frond (before it "unrolls", thus the name), regardless of species.
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Post by raporter on Apr 11, 2010 8:41:56 GMT -5
Ostrich ferns are a cultivated species- Matteuccia struthiopteris. My suppliers catalog lists them as USDA hardiness zone 3-8, which is well within the range of Indiana winters. You'd need moist, well drained soil to effectively grow them, preferably somewhat high in organic content (compost). The "fiddleheads" are the young growth of the fern frond (before it "unrolls", thus the name), regardless of species. Thanks Danf, that was what I did too. Still do not know if these ferns that grow wild all over the place are good to eat though. Any ideas? |
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Post by danf on Apr 11, 2010 9:42:24 GMT -5
I don't imagine they'd be poisonous; they may not taste great though.  Have you found any pictures of ostrich ferns to compare to what you are finding in the wild? The description in my suppliers catalog says, "Elegant with broad upright fronds. Delicious fiddleheads in spring. Creeps slowly". Out of the 20 listed species in that catalog, the ostrich fern is the only one with a description that includes anything about eating the fiddleheads, so I would assume it's the best tasting. |
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Post by raporter on Apr 11, 2010 11:24:51 GMT -5
Danf the only ones I could find mentioning edible were the Ostrich ferns. Like you said though I do not see where these growing wild around Indiana would hurt you. May give them a try.  |
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Post by Decatur on Apr 11, 2010 14:09:53 GMT -5
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Post by danf on Apr 11, 2010 18:56:45 GMT -5
Hmm, now that I see the pictures of what the ostrich fern looks like (not one I use a lot).... Bob, if you think they'd be sprouting any time in the next 2-3 weeks and are around Crawfordsville/Greencastle, give me a shout. Our house (while it's still ours, at least) has a bunch of them along one end. ;D
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Post by raporter on Apr 11, 2010 19:32:49 GMT -5
Danf I've got a bunch of them all around me. That is what got me interested in them.
Decatur I saw this one when looking for answers. Don't think we have ostrich or cinnamon ferns here. Just plain old ferns. guess there is only one way to find out if they are good or not. I'll fix some and give them to my neighbor. ;D
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Post by Decatur on Apr 11, 2010 20:48:11 GMT -5
;d I also ran across recipes for fiddleheads while looking around too.
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Post by turkeyscout on Apr 12, 2010 4:53:27 GMT -5
bob, take some to the next home owners next meeting and some yellow morels, they might plow you out next year.... ;D...turkey scout
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