Sweet Pickled Fiddleheads

Fiddleheads, an early spring delicacy in Maine, are the young coiled leaves of the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris). Nearly all ferns have fiddleheads, but those of the ostrich fern are unlike any other. Ostrich fern fiddleheads, which are about an inch in diameter, can be identified by the brown papery scale-like covering on the uncoiled fern, as well as the smooth fern stem, and the deep ”U”-shaped groove on the inside of the fern stem. From the University of Maine Extension Service.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Yields: 6 pints

Ingredients

• 1  gallon  fiddlehead, well washed
• 1  quart cider vinegar
• 5  cups sugar
• 2  teaspoons salt

Directions

1. Distribute washed fiddleheads in pint jars.
2. Mix vinegar, sugar and salt in saucepan; bring to a boil.
3. Pour over fiddleheads in jars; place seals and screw on bands fingertip tight.
4. Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath.