Fiddlehead Pasta Recipes

FIDDLEHEAD PASTA

Steps:

• To clean and cook fiddleheads: Clean fiddleheads in cold water and rinse several times until the water looks clear. Cut off black ends.
• Bring to a boil 1 1/4 cups water with 1/2 teaspoons salt. Add fiddleheads, making sure they are totally submerged (otherwise they will turn black).
• Cook 8-10 fiddleheads until al dente. when cooked, remove from boiling water and run under cold water so they remain al dente. Set aside.
• Cook pasta as dierected on package. Drain and run cold water over noodles to keep them al dente. Keep warm.
• Combine olive oil and garlic and mix well.
• Toss fiddleheads with pasta, oil-garlic mixture, 1/4 teaspoons salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese. If desired for a slighty sweet taste or add hot peppers for a spicy flavor.

FIDDLEHEAD FERNS AND ANGEL HAIR PASTA

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, blanch the fiddleheads until they are crisp-tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the fiddleheads from the water and shock them in a bowl of ice water (unless you are going to use them immediately).
• Drop angel hair pasta into the same pot of boiling water used for fiddleheads. Boil for 3 to 5 minutes or until al dente.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat olive oil. Saute fiddlehead ferns, green onions, and red pepper flakes for 2 minutes. Drain pasta and add to skillet. Toss with truffle oil and salt and pepper. Divide pasta among 4 plates and garnish with grated cheese. Sprinkle with Essence and serve.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William and Morrow, 1993.

FIDDLEHEADS AND PASTA

Steps:

• Clean the fiddleheads and trim the brown stem end. Put into enough water to barely cover and simmer for about 10 minutes or until they are tender. Drain and set aside.
• Chop the portobellos coarsely. Heat the oil and butter in a saute pan and add the garlic and cook it briefly. Add the mushrooms and, when they are tender, add the fiddleheads and heat through. Toss with the pasta and serve with grated cheese on top.

FIDDLEHEAD PASTA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• In saucepan of boiling water, cook fiddleheads for 5 to 7 minutes or until just barely tender; refresh under cold running water and drain well; set aside.
• In small bowl, beat eggs until smooth; stir in cream, salt, pepper and 2 Tbsp.
• of the Parmesan cheese; set aside.
• In large skillet, melt butter over low heat.
• Cook mushrooms, garlic, ham and basil for 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender, stirring occasionally.
• Add fiddleheads and peas; simmer for 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente.
• Drain well; add to fiddlehead mixture.
• Remove from heat.
• Pour egg mixture over top; toss.
• Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and large grinding of pepper.
• Serve immediately, passing extra cheese.
• Makes 4 servings.
• Canadian Living.