Fiddlehead Ferns With Escargot Butter Recipes

SAUTEED FIDDLEHEAD FERNS (BASIC RECIPE)

Steps:

• Trim the fiddleheads so that the stem end is about 2 inches long. Rub the dry brown flakes off the fiddleheads, and rinse well.
• Fill a saucepan with cool water and plunge the fiddleheads into the water to rinse off any grit.
• Remove the fiddleheads from the pan, change the water, and repeat the soaking. Rinse the fiddleheads under running water to remove any remaining grit.
• Rinse and dry the saucepan. Measure oil and butter into it and heat until the butter is melted.
• Add the fiddleheads and sauté, stirring with a wooden spoon, for about 5 minutes. Fiddleheads will be bright green and crispy. Add salt and pepper to taste.

SAUTEED FIDDLEHEADS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook fiddlehead ferns in the boiling water until barely tender, 7 to 10 minutes; drain.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the prepared fiddlehead ferns, garlic, and the salt and pepper. Cook and stir until ferns are tinged lightly brown and tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and sprinkle with lemon juice.

SPRING FIDDLEHEAD PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil, add the pasta and cook until very al dente, about 9 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta.
• Combine the ricotta, lemon zest and a few grinds of black pepper in small bowl and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter begins to foam, add the fiddleheads and sprinkle with pepper and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring gently, until the fiddleheads are crisp-tender and caramelized, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the fiddleheads to a bowl. Add the lemon juice, cooked pasta and reserved water to the skillet and return to medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens slightly and the pasta is al dente. Add the ricotta mixture and lightly toss until the pasta is just coated.
• Divide the pasta among 4 bowls and top with the fiddleheads and a few grinds of black pepper.

SAUTE THOSE FIDDLEHEAD FERNS

Steps:

• Wash fiddleheads, cut off ends, remove any brown spots.
• Boil in salted water for 10 minutes.
• Saute onions in oil for 3 minutes.
• Add mushrooms, garlic and ferns.
• Saute for 5 minutes.
• Stir in Sundried tomatoes.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Turn heat to low.
• Cover and cook for 5 minutes.

DEEP FRY THOSE FIDDLEHEAD FERNS

Steps:

• Wash and clean all brown spots off ferns. Trim stems.
• Blanch by putting them in boiling water for 2 minutes then into ice water to stop the cooking.
• Mix flour, salt and baking powder in small bowl.
• Stir in oil and milk.
• Beat to a smooth, creamy consistancy but do not overbeat.
• Heat 1/2 cup oil in small skillet over high heat.
• Dip fiddleheads in batter, then inot hot fat.
• Turn over until golden brown on both sides.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Serve hot.

FIDDLEHEAD FERNS

Steps:

• Before you're ready to cook cut about 1/8-inch off the thick ends if they look brown and rinse the fern shoots thoroughly to get rid of the brown fuzzy chaff that clings to their sides. Dry the shoots thoroughly before cooking by first spinning them in a lettuce spinner and then patting them with paper towels. Melt butter in a pan at medium heat. Add garlic, parsley and fiddleheads to the pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Saute for 5 minutes or until they are done.