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Fiddleheads and Spring –it’s a Northwoods tradition!

Apr 14, 2013 · 57 Comments

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Fiddlehead, fiddlehead recipe, fiddlehead recipes, how to cook fiddleheads
A cluster of fiddleheads as they emerge from the damp, stream-side earth.

Fiddleheads hunting…in search of the elusive but delicious fern!

Fiddleheads are one of the joys of spring here in the North Maine Woods. There is a short window of time in the spring when you can find fiddleheads that are prime for eating.  If they get to large, they are bitter and definitely not fine dining.

  If you would like to know more about finding and harvesting fiddleheads, just click here and read our post from last year’s fiddlehead “harvest”.

That post contains some premium fiddlehead recipes with info on freezing, canning, and cooking fiddleheads. I'll be adding some new fiddlehead recipes to the blog this year.  One is a absolutely delightful soup we discovered on one our weekend trips to Nova Scotia. Discovering the restaurant of Canadian Chef Craig Flinn was like finding the culinary pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

Chef Craig Flinn's Fiddlehead Soup

fiddlehead soup, fiddleheads, how to cook fiddleheads, fiddlehead recipes, recipe
You just can't imagine how delicious this is! Fiddleheads made into a creamy soup ... it's a good thing!

I discovered this incredibly delicious dish at Chives Canadian Bistro in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Bill and I love going to Nova Scotia for getaway weekends.  Exploring the island is so much fun.  It is breathtakingly beautiful and charmingly quaint.  One of our best culinary finds was Chef Flinn’s delightful little bistro. His cooking philosophy is fresh, local, in-season ingredients and it can’t be more fresh or local than fiddleheads in the spring.  This recipe is in the Chef Craig Flinn’s cookbook – Fresh & Local: Straight form Canadian farms to your table, which you can purchase by clicking here.  The cookbook is well worth the money with great recipes.  I love the one for Pickled Asparagus.  Asparagus, like fiddleheads, is another fleeting springtime delight  and it’s great when you can find recipes to use to preserve that great flavor for later in the season.

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Chef Craig Flinn's Fiddlehead Soup tradition!

Fiddlehead, fiddlehead recipe, fiddlehead recipes, how to cook fiddleheads
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Warming, comforting, and delicious, this soup is made of fresh, local ingredients. If you don't have fiddleheads available in your area, head to Nova Scotia and visit "Chives"!

  • Author: Chef Craig Flinn, owner/chef of Chives Canadian Bistro; Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Category: Soup
  • Cuisine: Canadian

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 3 stalks fresh thyme
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ½ cup white wine
  • 5 cups fiddleheads (washed in cold water)
  • 6 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp. lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Sauté onion, celery, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper in olive oil and butter over medium heat for 5 minutes.
  2. Deglaze the pan with white wine and bring to a boil. Add fiddleheads and stock and simmer for 20 minutes.
  3. Carefully puree in blender. Strain the soup into a clean saucepan and add cream and lemon juice.

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  1. Debbie says

    June 05, 2023 at 3:11 pm

    I add potatoes to my Fiddle head soup.. also a hey freeze well

    Reply
    • Sheryl Thompson says

      June 07, 2023 at 1:23 pm

      Being a Maine gal, I love my 'taters!!! Sounds like a great idea and I am definitely going to try it. I freeze a lot of my fiddlehead recipes if I can so we can enjoy them through the year. The short window of time that they are available is a bummer.

      Reply
  2. Benjamin Blumberg says

    February 28, 2019 at 3:45 pm

    I ran across fiddleheads in New Brunswick; for a month or so, they are so plentiful you can't give them away. I made a fiddlehead soup according to my own instincts, and it probably wasn't as good as the one you present here. I will remember your recipe, and try it the next time I am in NB.
    PS: I had heard of fiddleheads before, and even tried them sautéed in butter and garlic. But since then I have developed a taste for good vegetable soups, I grew up in rural Indiana, and our specialty there was Morrell mushrooms.

    Reply
    • Sheryl Thompson says

      March 02, 2019 at 10:50 am

      Fiddlehead season is almost upon us. I so love them. One of Bill's and my favorite thing to do in the spring is to go trout fishing. We always pack a cast iron fry pan and some olive oil in our backpack. Sauteing fresh trout and fresh fiddleheads in the wild over a campfire is a treasured spring tradition with us.

      Reply
  3. Kristen from The Road to Domestication says

    May 18, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    I did not know you could EAT fiddleheads! Wow! Thanks so much for taking the time to link up with us over at the #HomeMattersParty - we hope to see you again on Friday 🙂 Feel free to bring a friend or two!

    Reply
  4. Lisa Savage says

    May 17, 2015 at 6:15 am

    I had never heard of fiddleheads, but reading your post sent my husband and I on a little journey of discovery. Thank you so much! I don't know if we have them in the UK, but it's such an interesting post Thanks for linking up to #AllAboutYou

    Reply
  5. Kerry says

    May 15, 2015 at 5:54 am

    Great to see some use of wild edibles.

    Reply
    • Sheryl T says

      May 16, 2015 at 9:55 am

      I love to play "hunter/gatherer" and use what we have available in the wild. Fiddleheads and trout are spring favorites here in Maine. When we go fishing we take our cast iron fry pan into the woods and cook up an impromptu meal of the two spring delicacies right over a campfire.

      Reply
  6. Hannah @ eat, drink and save money says

    May 14, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    I've always wondered how to use fiddleheads! So cool.

    Thanks for sharing on Share the Wealth Sunday.

    Reply
    • Sheryl T says

      May 16, 2015 at 9:56 am

      Now that you know hopefully you'll give them a try! Most recipes for asparagus work for fiddleheads.

      Reply
    • login says

      February 02, 2017 at 8:07 pm

      I never heard of it! The soup looks yummy though!

      Reply
  7. Kristina & Millie says

    May 14, 2015 at 11:28 am

    ohhh i have heard of and seen recipes for these fiddleheads but haven't tried them - yet. This fiddle head soup sounds delish!!

    Reply
  8. Colorful Canary says

    May 06, 2015 at 5:51 pm

    Looks fantastic! I featured your recipe on my blog 🙂
    http://www.colorfulcanary.com/2015/05/14-fabulous-fiddlehead-recipes-eat-wild.html

    Reply
  9. Laura Lane of Harvest Lane Cottage says

    May 19, 2014 at 12:40 pm

    I've never heard of fiddleheads, but this last year I tried Chicken of the Woods mushroom soup. Oh my! Delicous!

    Reply
  10. Kathy Shea Mormino, The Chicken Chick says

    May 18, 2014 at 11:40 pm

    I adore fiddleheads! We used to pick them with our parents here in Connecticut when we were kids. We'd fill pillowcases full of them! It's really difficult to find places to harvest them though- my brother knows a few of the prime locations, but they are very closely guarded secrets! lol

    Thanks for sharing with The Clever Chicks!

    Kathy Shea Mormino
    The Chicken Chick

    Reply
  11. Erlene says

    May 16, 2014 at 12:39 am

    Someday when I visit somewhere that serves fiddleheads, I'm going to have to try them. Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday Link Party.

    Reply
  12. Jess says

    May 13, 2014 at 10:56 am

    This is just fascinating to me! How cool!

    Thanks again for joining the Link Up this week!

    Reply
  13. Ritchil Shafer (Cheng and 3 Kids) says

    May 12, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    I've never had fiddlehead soup before but this sure looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  14. nicolthepickle says

    May 14, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    Went fiddlehead picking yesterday. I'm going to make this, or something close to it. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
    • Sheryl T says

      May 14, 2013 at 5:37 pm

      Glad your inspired! I love fiddleheads but I do hate cleaning them! Do you have any special tricks for getting rid of those brown, papery skins?

      Reply
      • Briddet Qualey says

        May 25, 2017 at 4:19 pm

        When fiddleheads are dry after picking- no dew or rain, the same day I put them in one of those kiddy pools and with an air compressor nozzle and hose I blow the orange parchment like sheath over the side or to the opposite side of the pool since it is lighter than the fiddleheads where I can collect and compost it. This technique has worked well for me the past 8 or 10 years. Then I, of course, rinse them in cool water a couple of times, but they are pretty darn clean by then.

        We just picked this week and it is getting late in the season but where we pick they tend to be late and we still got a good mess of fiddleheads- tho had to look harder since a lot were already knee high. It was damp with the rain of late so my blowing air technique did not work for cleaning so it was into the wash pan with them. But since it is late in the season and they were more up from the ground (when it really is the best time to pick them) there was less "chaff" than when picking earlier. So two rounds thru the rinse pan still worked just fine with a reasonable amount of picking and breaking off long ends. The most annoying thing was there had been a frost recently and so there were dark ones to sort out.

        By the way, I've never found that picking late in the season that fiddleheads get bitter. They DO get unfurled and SMALLER, but I've never tasted a bitter fiddlehead in over 60 years of picking them.

        I plan to make the fiddlehead soup recipe tonight and as you say, it is much like an asparagus soup I make. Should be good! Thanks.

      • Sheryl Thompson says

        May 26, 2017 at 8:53 am

        Fiddleheads are such a delight. Wish they were available fresh year round. Thanks for all the tips on finding, picking, and cleaning. My readers are going to enjoy the information you give from your years of experience!

  15. Crystelle Boutique says

    May 08, 2013 at 1:34 pm

    I have never even heard of fiddle-heads before. Looks and sounds like I have been missing out!!!
    We are hunting for asparagus around here this time of year (almost)

    Enjoy your soup!!!
    Happy Wednesday..… 🙂

    hugs xx
    Crystelle
    Crystelle Boutique

    Reply
  16. Anyonita from Anyonita-nibbles.com says

    April 30, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    Hey! I found you on the Tasty Tuesdays link party on 33 Shades of Green! I've never heard of Fiddlehead soup, but it looks really interesting! 🙂 Also, I've just posted my Tasty Tuesdays link party on my blog & I'd love it if you could stop by & link up some of your recipes! Here's the link: http://anyonitanibbles.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/Tasty-Tuesdays-8-features-ad.html

    Reply
  17. Diana Rambles says

    April 29, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    I had no idea that you ate fiddleheads!

    Reply
  18. Jessie says

    April 24, 2013 at 3:16 pm

    Hmm.. I've never had fiddle heads before but I've seen them used a lot on cooking shows. If I ever get the chance I'll definitely give them a try 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing with us at Weekend Wonders. Hope you're enjoying your week so far.

    Reply
  19. Jann Olson says

    April 23, 2013 at 12:45 am

    I had no idea that there was a type of fern that was edible. I have ferns in my garden that unfurl just like this. Of course, I would never chance eating them. Really interesting and looks delish! Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
  20. Lauryn says

    April 19, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    I love this! Now, to get my hands on some fiddleheads...

    Reply
    • Sheryl T says

      April 20, 2013 at 8:22 am

      Well, that will depend on where you live! You can go track them down in the woods as I describe in this post -http://www.wildernesswife.com/in-search-fo-the-elusive-fiddlehead/ or often you can find them in larger super market chains, but only in the spring. The window of time to enjoy them is short so don't delay!

      Reply
  21. Rose :: Fine Craft Guild says

    April 18, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    Sounds delicious! Come link up your recipe up with us today: http://www.finecraftguild.com/healthy-brunch-bread-recipes/

    Reply
  22. Diane Balch says

    April 18, 2013 at 7:50 am

    I can't wait to try this recipe. I see fiddleheads at our markets but I've never know what to do with them. Pinning.

    Reply
    • Sheryl T says

      April 18, 2013 at 10:21 am

      Be sure to check out the links in the post as there are more Fiddlehead recipes on my blog. Fiddleheads are similar to asparagus and most recipes that work for asparagus also work for fiddleheads.

      Reply
  23. Linda@With A Blast says

    April 17, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    I have never heard of fiddleheads in SA :/ and your recipe looks so delicious! Thank you for sharing at our ALL MY BLOGGY FRIENDS party 🙂

    Reply
  24. Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen says

    April 17, 2013 at 12:04 pm

    I have always wondered about fiddleheads. Thank you so much for sharing on Show Me Your Plaid Monday's!

    Reply
  25. Lisa says

    April 17, 2013 at 8:21 am

    Great post. A friend recommended your blog. I will be back for sure!

    I am giving away a set of Ball Canning blue pint jars on my blog right now, I hope you'll stop by!

    Lisa
    Fresh Eggs Daily
    http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2013/04/giveaway-ball-heritage-collection-pint.html

    Reply
    • Kathy Shea Mormino, The Chicken Chick says

      April 21, 2013 at 7:33 pm

      We used to pick fiddleheads every year when we were kids, right around Mother's Day. I love them steamed with vinegar, butter, salt and pepper. Your soup recipe sounds delicious, I'm going to try it!

      Thank you for linking up with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week, I hope you'll join us again!

      Your Friend in Poultry,
      Kathy Shea Mormino
      The Chicken Chick
      http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

      Reply
  26. Christine says

    April 16, 2013 at 7:37 pm

    Looks so yummy!!! I'm about to head to Maine this week! (Portland) Maybe I will seek out some of this soup while I am there. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Sheryl T says

      April 18, 2013 at 7:14 am

      Hope you find some to try! You'll love it!

      Reply
  27. Kim @ Soliloquy Of Food & Such says

    April 16, 2013 at 6:31 pm

    I miss fiddleheads and that mountain!! My hubs and I lived in Woodville, Me for 5 or so years, and ate many, many fiddleheads! Stopped by from Fluster Buster's, see you around :o)

    Reply
    • Sheryl T says

      April 18, 2013 at 7:15 am

      It is a unique mountain and Baxter State Park is "forever wild". I have a number of friends who live in Woodville. I bet we know some of the same people!

      Reply
  28. Vicki Valenta says

    April 15, 2013 at 10:39 pm

    I am intrigued. I've never heard of eating fiddleheads. Now I think I need to come to Maine in April so I can experience it.

    Reply
    • Sheryl T says

      April 17, 2013 at 7:27 am

      That's a great idea....actually there are thousands of reasons to visit Maine but spring, also known here as "Mud Season", is a little hard to promote with tourists. But you've given me a great idea, we could have a "fiddlehead festival" in the spring!

      Reply
  29. Sally Kabak says

    April 15, 2013 at 6:57 pm

    Have only ever had fiddlehead ferns once when Norman and I did a trip up state New York. Sorry can't remember where it was exactly, the name of the Restaurant was the Fiddlehead Fern. Fiddlehead ferns are not availabl in New Zealand.

    Reply
  30. Grandma Kc says

    April 15, 2013 at 4:17 pm

    I'm another one who never heard of such a yummy treat. There is no way I will find them in southern California!

    Reply
    • Sheryl T says

      April 17, 2013 at 7:30 am

      Probably not, they are the ostrich fern. You can also eat the cinnamon fern and the brake fern when they are in their fiddlehead stage but the true Fiddlehead fern is the Ostrich Fern.

      Reply
  31. Linda says

    April 15, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    Until we started spending time in Maine I didn't know fiddleheads but have come to like them in a variety of ways. I haven't tried them in soup but that sounds really good. BTW, I am half the year in Rockport.

    Reply
  32. Lanaya @ Raising Reagan says

    April 15, 2013 at 10:56 am

    I haven't had these before but they intrigue me because they are just too cute!
    Thank you for the recipe!

    Thank you for linking to Raising Imperfection.
    Please come back Friday to see if you were featured. 🙂

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•*´
    (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
    http://www.raising-reagan.com

    Reply
    • Sheryl T. says

      April 15, 2013 at 11:33 am

      Not only are they cute but very, very tasty. You can often find them in grocery stores in the spring. Try them!

      Reply
  33. momstheword says

    April 14, 2013 at 11:32 pm

    Wow, that's amazing. I never heard of it! The soup looks yummy though!

    Thanks so much for linking up to the "Making Your Home Sing Monday" linky party today! 🙂

    Reply
  34. June says

    April 14, 2013 at 10:32 pm

    I remember eating fiddleheads at my aunt & uncle's every year (we lived in Vermont). She served them various ways. One of my favorites was in a cream sauce over toasted English muffins. It's probably been 25+ years since I've had them and I still remember how delicious they were! I'm sending her a link to your blog!

    Reply
    • Sheryl T says

      April 15, 2013 at 11:55 am

      Pretty much any recipe that works for asparagus will work with fiddleheads. They are great with Hollandaise sauce or even just as simple as steamed wand served with butter and lemon juice.

      Reply
  35. Megan Cornwell says

    April 14, 2013 at 9:00 pm

    fiddleheads!! found this on the i should be mopping the floor link party... when i saw it, i wondered if you were from maine. i grew up here, lived in dallas for 7 years and married a texan. we moved back to maine a couple of years ago and my husband is in love with fiddleheads! need to make this recipe. thanks for sharing! love your blog!

    Reply
    • Sheryl T says

      April 15, 2013 at 7:22 am

      Be sure to check the recipes and info on the other two pages in the links. Fiddleheads have so many ways to use them. I put them in quiche, dips, saute them, pickle them, roast them...a very versatile vegetable and a gift from mother nature!

      Reply
    • Sheryl T says

      April 15, 2013 at 11:59 am

      Well, welcome back to Maine, Heaven on Earth in my humble opinion! A Texan in love with Fiddleheads, that is so cool! There's so many ways to eat them! Now you have to take him out fiddleheading to gather his own!

      Reply
  36. Leslie says

    April 14, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    Oh I loooooooove fiddleheads. Yum!

    Thank you for linking up to Raising Imperfection!
    Make sure to check back on Friday to see if you were featured.
    Leslie

    Reply

Trackbacks

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