Fiddlesticks

After finishing off the earlies we dug out the unloved south east corner to find a mess of plastic sheeting shot through with couch. Really hard work getting it all out but well worth it as at one time it must have been the manure dump as the underlying soil is the best on the plot, beautifully rich and friable.

Also dug out and levelled area in front of shed and layed a path to join up with the one by the greenhouse.

Sowed three rows of Heinz 57 flower seeds to prettify the plot over the summer. Thought it might be a bit too early but we'll see what comes up.

I wonder if anyone knows of or has tried the UK equivalent of 'Fiddlers' or 'Fiddleheads'. They are picked and
enjoyed about now (particularly in New Brunswick) but all across Canada and as far down into the states as Virginia.

"Fiddleheads are the young coiled fern leaves (about an inch in diameter) of the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris).

Nearly all ferns have fiddleheads, but those of the ostrich fern are unlike any other.

"Harvest the tender little rolls of fern almost as soon as they appear within an inch or two of the ground.
Carefully brush out and remove the brown scales. Wash and cook the “heads” in a small amount of lightly salted
boiling water for ten minutes, or steam for 20 minutes. Serve at once with melted butter. The quicker they are eaten, the more delicate their flavor. They may be served, like asparagus, on toast. Cooked, chilled fiddleheads can be also served as a salad with an onion and vinegar dressing."




Cathy has had these and says they are delicious so I am wondering if there is a UK equivalent. Must dig out
the wild foods books when I get home.