This video, from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension,:
- demonstrates how to identify fiddleheads of the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), which are eaten in Maine, Northeast States (US) and Eastern Canada
- also, gives some food safety tips for fiddleheads
Fiddleheads are:
- curled, edible shoots of the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)
- and are commonly eaten at this time of year as a seasonal vegetable
- a seasonal delicacy in many parts of Canada
- collected in the wild
- sold as a seasonal vegetable or served in restaurants
- also sold in cans or as a frozen product
However, Health Canada reports that an unidentified natural toxin present in the fiddlehead is most likely causing:
- a number of outbreaks of foodborne illness from eating raw or undercooked fiddleheads in Canada and the United States since 1994
- studies to date have not determined the cause of these illnesses
- recently, five cases of illness associated with fiddleheads have been reported to Toronto Public Health in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- illness associated with consuming fiddleheads is uncommon
- Symptoms of illness
- appear within 30 minutes to 12 hours of eating raw or undercooked fiddleheads
- and typically last for less than 24 hours
- but may last as long as three days
- Symptoms may include:
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal cramps
- and headaches
- The adverse symptoms can result in dehydration, particularly among older people, infants and those with underlying medical conditions
- People who believe that they may have become ill as a result of eating fiddleheads should contact:
- Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 during business hours
- or after hours at 3-1-1
- or see their family physician
- Symptoms of illness
Under no circumstances should fiddleheads be eaten raw.
Please note that proper handling and thorough cooking of fiddleheads can reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Here are Health Canada’s food safety tips for fiddleheads:
- Cleaning fresh fiddleheads
- Remove as much of the brown papery husk (parchment-like paper covering) as possible, using your fingers.
- Wash the fiddleheads in several changes of fresh cold water to remove any residual husk or dirt.
- Cooking fiddleheads: Before eating fiddleheads, make sure to follow these steps:
- Cook them in a generous amount of boiling water for 15 minutes or steam them for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Discard water used for boiling or steaming fiddleheads as it may contain the toxin.
- Follow these instructions before sautéing, frying, baking or making other foods (e.g. soups, casseroles) using fiddleheads.
- Freezing fiddleheads: Before freezing fiddleheads, you should follow these steps:
- Clean fiddleheads as outlined above.
- Blanch fiddleheads for two minutes.
- Plunge fiddleheads in cold water. Drain.
- Discard the blanching water.
- Pack drained fiddleheads in freezer containers or bags.
- Store them in the freezer for up to one year.
- Follow the complete cooking steps outlined above before serving.
- Preserving fiddleheads
- Preserving fiddleheads with a pressure canner is not recommended, as safe process times have not been established for home-preserved fiddleheads.
Please click here for more info about how to safely enjoy fiddleheads.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
NEWS RELEASE
May 8, 2012
Health warning: Wash and cook fiddleheads to prevent illness
Residents of Toronto are being reminded to thoroughly wash and cook fiddleheads before they are consumed to avoid illness. Fiddleheads are curled, edible shoots of the ostrich fern and are commonly eaten at this time of year as a seasonal vegetable.
“Recently, five cases of illness associated with fiddleheads have been reported to Toronto Public Health. To prevent further illness in the community, it is important to thoroughly wash and cook fiddleheads before eating them,” said Jim Chan, Food Safety Program Manager for Toronto Public Health.
Cases of temporary illness from eating raw or undercooked fiddleheads were first reported in 1994, and additional cases have been reported periodically since then across Canada. While the cause of this temporary illness is not known, Health Canada believes it is most likely the result of an unidentified natural toxin present in the fiddlehead.
Illness associated with consuming fiddleheads is uncommon. Symptoms of illness appear within 30 minutes to 12 hours of eating raw or undercooked fiddleheads and typically last for less than 24 hours but may last as long as three days. Symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and headaches.
Fiddlehead food safety tips include:
• Never eat raw fiddleheads.
• Remove as much of the brown, papery husk as possible.
• Wash the fiddleheads well using fresh, cold water.
• Cook fiddleheads by boiling them for 15 minutes or by steaming them for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Water used for boiling or steaming fiddleheads should be discarded as it may contain the toxin.
More information about how to safely enjoy fiddleheads can be found on Health Canada’s website at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/kitchen-cuisine/fiddlehead-fougere-eng.php.
People who believe that they may have become ill as a result of eating fiddleheads should contact Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 during business hours or after hours at 3-1-1, or see their family physician.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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