In Maine, You can Totally Make Some Big Bucks Picking Fiddleheads

Having multiple jobs in Maine is a rite of passage.

Actually, it's more like a way of life. People of all ages often have more than one job around here. Half the time, I swear people don't even need the money, they just don't know what to do, other than work their butts off. Personally, one could argue I have three jobs. Sure, I like the extra money, but it's as much about personal enjoyment.

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And may be it's also because Mainers don't consider the concept of "extra" money. Money is money. Everyone could always use a little more. But how cool would it be, if you could have one job, for a very limited time, that produced some big money? At least, as long as you're willing to bust your butt.

There is some serious money in chasing down a true Maine delicacy.

Sure, there's things like harvesting elvers that could bring in big money. But there's a lottery involved and you're lucky to get the opportunity. On the other hand, right down there by the riverside, is Maine's annual green gold rush... Fiddleheads. Yup those little baby Ostrich Ferns can put some big bucks in your bank account.

I was recently talking to a coworker who used to own a hotel/restaurant, and he has a friend who takes a month off from work every year to pick fiddleheads. At first, my buddy kind of chuckled. Then the guy told him just what kind of money was involved, and when he told me, I was kind of blown away.

You can harvest thousands of dollars worth of fiddleheads.

Allegedly, the rule in Maine is, if you see fiddleheads, they're yours. There is no harvesting rules, currently. On the other hand, there are other people out there, also looking to cash in. There's a huge demand for fiddleheads annually in Maine, so there is money to be made. But also very little oversight.

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But people are probably pretty protective of their honey-holes. I've heard of one person who picked 7000 pounds last year. They sold them wholesale at $2.50 a pound. That's $15,000. If you also sold them yourself, I see people selling them by the roadside every summer for up to $5 a pound. That same 7000 pounds would net $35,000.

That's not too shabby for a month's work. But it'll be dirty, sweaty, back-breaking work. It might be something you do for a couple years, but only the hardcore probably keep it up for years. In any event, if you want to know more about harvesting them, check this video out. It helps you identify them, and how to pick them.

Here are a bunch of other foods that people from away think are strange...