What Do Fiddleheads Taste Like?
Now that spring is here it seems as if everyone is talking about fiddleheads. I've never seen one (except online) and obviously never tasted one, but have become quite intrigued because of all the talk.
They look rather strange and I can't imagine what they taste like. So, what do they taste like? I don't want descriptions like bitter, sweet, etc. Can you name a more common vegetable or food item that they taste like? For some reason I have it in my head that they taste like nopales.
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13 Comments:
similar to aspargus, not as strong. does this help.
get some! they are yummy.
mrstkach at 6:36PM on 05/12/09
I've also been wondering what they taste like... How are they cooked?
gingercookiewithlime at 7:36PM on 05/12/09
Thanks, Mrs. Kach. That definitely piques my interest as I'm an asparagus fanatic. And yeah- how are they cooked?
PumpkinBear at 2:06AM on 05/13/09
I think the asparagus similarity is pretty true. Also kind of like dandelion greens to me. Earthy. My sis thinks they taste like dirt (literally), but she is not a big veggie lover.
You can steam, blanch, roast, saute and more.
They do well with light cooking, even less than asparagus would need. Treat them delicately.
See the thread we just had a day or two ago for great ideas on yummy ways to cook them. I like them in a light cream sauce with ham, or in a lemony pasta dish. Also really good just steamed with butter.
sadiepix at 2:31AM on 05/13/09
i think of them as a combo between spinach and asparagus - but still with a charm all their own. my favorite way to serve them is simply steamed with lots of butter and salt - perfection!!!
kimberwolf at 10:31AM on 05/13/09
Dirt.
Sorry, I just had to come right out and say it without any sugar-coating, but fiddleheads taste like dirt. Yeah, there may be some asparagus overtones, and maybe some bitter greens... But the overall taste is dirt.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Dee at 12:56PM on 05/13/09
I had an acquaintance who upon tasting one said it was like a boiled mouse.
Bakerloo Line at 3:27PM on 05/13/09
Like shit lol just kidding. Like aspargus in a weird dirty way.
pjracz10 at 3:56PM on 05/13/09
definitely like dirt. or, let's say, "earthy".
optic at 4:47PM on 05/13/09
I have to say, I don't really think fiddleheads taste like asparagus that much at all, although there is a textural similarity, at least in the stem part of the fern. To me, they taste like grass, but not in a bad way; or maybe I should just say they taste like greenness. They appeal to me much more for their appearance and texture than for their taste...
annatr at 5:32PM on 05/13/09
Hairy soap. Dirty hairy soap.
I haven't found a vegetable that I didn't want to marry, until I came up against the fiddlehead. I think perhaps they need to be prepared by someone who knows what they're doing the first time you eat them. I nearly lost my mind trying to rinse the grit from them--anyone have any tricks?
BananaMonkey at 12:03AM on 05/14/09
I've only had them off season, pickled. Didn't finish the jar...
lambowner at 11:45AM on 05/14/09
"They appeal to me much more for their appearance and texture than for their taste..."
@annatr
I'm totally with you. It's just like Ed's piece in which he talks about how being artisinal and handmade doesn't necessarily mean it good. Fiddleheads may have the cachet of a seasonal, ephemeral ingredient, but that don't mean that they tastes good!
To me, they are bland versions of asparagus (with a slightly "dirtier" taste) that just happen to look a little cooler. But I'll close my eyes and take asparagus over fiddleheads any day!
GoodEaterKenji at 1:12PM on 05/14/09