This is the Simplest Way to Cook Delicious Maine Fiddleheads

I've only been in Maine for a month, and I've already discovered the simplest most delicious way to cook and serve fiddleheads. Because I love Mainers so much, I'm prepared to share my fiddlehead knowledge with you.

Do NOT Search All Over Maine nor Pick your Own Fiddleheads

I've never attempted it, but finding and picking fiddleheads doesn't seem like an easy task at all. That's why in my simple fiddlehead method, you exploit your coworkers and their families to do it for you.

Read More: Check Out Photos That You Shared of the Northern Lights in Maine

They love you because you work with them and they want you to feel special. Take advantage of that. Sitting back and waiting for your freshly picked fiddleheads is very simple.

Get our free mobile app

Always Be Thankful for the Maine Hospitality and Fiddlehead Picking Labor

I refer to the colleague I took advantage of as Sales Lord Free ('Sales Lord' I came up with, 'Free' was all on his parents ... seriously, that's his name). Pictured above is Free's wonderful bride who picked the fiddleheads, and then Free got to work washing and cooking them (after setting a significant amount to the side for me).

Maine Fiddleheads Pair Well with Seafood

Free prepared his portion of fiddleheads with butter, salt, and malt vinegar. That sounds simple and is applicable to my simple fiddlehead recipe. HOWEVER, Free then added clams and mussels to the menu. That is not simple.

Also, are mussels and clams in season? Do we want to risk digestive issues because we're being gluttonous and not just appreciating fiddleheads? Now we're Googling if clams and mussels are in season, getting further and further away from simple.

Step 2 In the Simplest Way to Cook Maine Fiddleheads

To clarify, step 1 in my simple fiddlehead recipe is to exploit anyone's kindness to pick and wash the fiddleheads. Step 2 is to lay out all the ingredients you will need next to the fiddleheads and then take a photo to post to social media. It's important that people think you know what you are doing, plus, so few people know what freakin' fiddleheads are! Followers will appreciate you teaching them something new.

Step 3 In the Simplest Way to Cook Maine Fiddleheads: Water

It's time to put on your chef's hat Gordon Ramsey. Here is step 3. Boil water in a pot and dump your freshly picked and washed fiddleheads from someone else into the water.

After this strenuous task, you have like 20 minutes to just wait around. I recommend calling a friend, eating a snack, or watching TikTok. If you have guests over, you may want to stir every once in a while, so they are impressed by you, but it's not necessary.

Step 5 In the Simplest Way to Cook Maine Fiddleheads

It's time to strain the Fiddleheads.

Now, it was recommended that I rinse the fiddleheads for several minutes under cold water post-boil, but nothing about that says simple. So, I skipped that part and immediately went to throwing the fiddleheads into a skillet to sauté with the ingredients.

I used malt vinegar, garlic butter, salt, and red pepper for a kick. I didn't get clarification on precisely how much of each of the ingredients I should use, because having that conversation is NOT simple. I took my best guess, with a dash of hoping for the best.

Step 6 In the Simplest Way to Cook Maine Fiddleheads

The simplest step of all. EAT. I've never had these before, but I have to say, my simple method created one tasty dish. Follow my steps, and you will have a very satiated appetite as well. Cheers!