Fiddlehead Pasta Food

FIDDLEHEAD PASTA

Steps:

• To clean and cook fiddleheads: Clean fiddleheads in cold water and rinse several times until the water looks clear. Cut off black ends.
• Bring to a boil 1 1/4 cups water with 1/2 teaspoons salt. Add fiddleheads, making sure they are totally submerged (otherwise they will turn black).
• Cook 8-10 fiddleheads until al dente. when cooked, remove from boiling water and run under cold water so they remain al dente. Set aside.
• Cook pasta as dierected on package. Drain and run cold water over noodles to keep them al dente. Keep warm.
• Combine olive oil and garlic and mix well.
• Toss fiddleheads with pasta, oil-garlic mixture, 1/4 teaspoons salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese. If desired for a slighty sweet taste or add hot peppers for a spicy flavor.

FIDDLEHEAD PASTA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• In saucepan of boiling water, cook fiddleheads for 5 to 7 minutes or until just barely tender; refresh under cold running water and drain well; set aside.
• In small bowl, beat eggs until smooth; stir in cream, salt, pepper and 2 Tbsp.
• of the Parmesan cheese; set aside.
• In large skillet, melt butter over low heat.
• Cook mushrooms, garlic, ham and basil for 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender, stirring occasionally.
• Add fiddleheads and peas; simmer for 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente.
• Drain well; add to fiddlehead mixture.
• Remove from heat.
• Pour egg mixture over top; toss.
• Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and large grinding of pepper.
• Serve immediately, passing extra cheese.
• Makes 4 servings.
• Canadian Living.

SPRING FIDDLEHEAD PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil, add the pasta and cook until very al dente, about 9 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta.
• Combine the ricotta, lemon zest and a few grinds of black pepper in small bowl and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter begins to foam, add the fiddleheads and sprinkle with pepper and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring gently, until the fiddleheads are crisp-tender and caramelized, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the fiddleheads to a bowl. Add the lemon juice, cooked pasta and reserved water to the skillet and return to medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens slightly and the pasta is al dente. Add the ricotta mixture and lightly toss until the pasta is just coated.
• Divide the pasta among 4 bowls and top with the fiddleheads and a few grinds of black pepper.

FIDDLEHEAD FERNS AND ANGEL HAIR PASTA

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, blanch the fiddleheads until they are crisp-tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the fiddleheads from the water and shock them in a bowl of ice water (unless you are going to use them immediately).
• Drop angel hair pasta into the same pot of boiling water used for fiddleheads. Boil for 3 to 5 minutes or until al dente.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat olive oil. Saute fiddlehead ferns, green onions, and red pepper flakes for 2 minutes. Drain pasta and add to skillet. Toss with truffle oil and salt and pepper. Divide pasta among 4 plates and garnish with grated cheese. Sprinkle with Essence and serve.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William and Morrow, 1993.

FIDDLEHEADS AND PASTA

Steps:

• Clean the fiddleheads and trim the brown stem end. Put into enough water to barely cover and simmer for about 10 minutes or until they are tender. Drain and set aside.
• Chop the portobellos coarsely. Heat the oil and butter in a saute pan and add the garlic and cook it briefly. Add the mushrooms and, when they are tender, add the fiddleheads and heat through. Toss with the pasta and serve with grated cheese on top.

SHRIMP AND FIDDLEHEAD

Steps:

• Cut off ends of fiddleheads.
• Remove scales and wash thoroughly.
• Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan; add shrimp and cook three to five minutes, or until done.
• Drain well, and set aside.
• Cook fiddleheads in boiling water for ten minutes.
• Drain.
• Coat a large, nonstick skillet with cooking spray; add margarine.
• Heat until margarine melts.
• Add onion and green pepper and sauté until crisp-tender.
• Stir in fiddleheads.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed, without salt or oil.
• Drain well, set aside and keep warm.
• Add sliced mushrooms, thyme, pepper, salt and celery seeds to vegetable mixture; stir well.
• Cook, uncovered, over medium heat three to four minutes or until mushrooms are tender, stirring often.
• Stir in shrimp and lemon juice; cook until heated through, stirring often.
• Place pasta on a large platter.
• Spoon shrimp mixture on top.
• Serve immediately.

SPRINGTIME FIDDLEHEAD, HAM AND PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• Thoroughly clean fiddleheads and cook in a large pot of boiling water for 15 minutes, until tender. (Keeping the cover off curing cooking will help to maintain the vivid green color). Immediately rinse in cold water to stop cooking process; drain well and set aside. Start cooking pasta according to package directions.
• Melt butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and mushrooms; sauté for two minutes. Stir in garlic, fiddleheads, chicken broth or wine, basil, mustard, if using, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for a few minutes, checking to see that the fiddleheads are tender. Add ham and parmesan cheese; stir to heat through. Drain pasta well and toss with the sauce. Serve immediately.