Shipping is a terrible thing to do to vegetables. They probably get jet-lagged, just like people. ~Elizabeth Berry
Vwittmeier: The Calgary Farmers’ Market recently moved & in doing so, got a bit of a facelift. This is in the form of better spacing, brighter lighting, and another important point – cleaner & more spacious washrooms. Definitely a more suitable location for the pricey, upper-middle class arrangement. I do wonder if the clientele will shift slightly because of that change; less Lulu Lemon, more ‘mom jeans’, maybe?
It’s still the same old place you can go to enjoy spending some time breaking the bank on a coffee, some French cuisine, and (generally) local veggies. Regardless of the price, it’s an enjoyable mosey around. This past experience with my parents had my bag filling with Saskatoon berries & pie (it’s that time of year!! delish!! double exclaim!!), Saganaki cheese (Canadian label, as Saganaki is the actual method of cooking with a single serve fry-pan) and fresh tomatoes for a wonderful Panzanella Salad.
But, who cares about all that – check out what I bought a few months back (originating from British Columbia). Apparently, there’s a short season to eat these, and I managed to luckily stumble in at the right time. Fiddleheads!
When my family and I were in Kona, Hawaii - there were giant versions of this plant everywhere. Reminders of Jurassic park. To see them all little and edible was nifty. Unfortunately, they weren’t as thrilling to eat as to see & touch.
(sorry, bad focus in this pic – camera on the phone= not always the best)
What worried me, was that they recommended a thorough cleaning (‘they’ being the instructions on the container they came in). I soaked them for approximately a half hour in cold water & methodically rubbed them down. Then followed the further instructions in throwing out the water you steam them in, which, at that end point turns a color you wouldn’t want to ingest anyhow. Made/makes me nervous.
Turned out fine in the end – after coating them in butter, I added them to pasta that was stuffed with cheese. Gave a nice crunch and greenery, but the flavour remained sort of dirt tasting. Nothing too special, but it was fun to try something from Canada’s backyard - because like Elizabeth Berry said – who knows what happens to a jet-lagged veggie.
Hi Nessa, Dad and I first came across Fiddlehead during our dating years, so they truly are from the stone age. They have not evolved much over the last century, but they at least have some play value. I know that is important to you. I agree that the taste could be better, but then again dinosaurs probably really enjoyed them. Love you Mom