If you've ever been on a hike in the Pacific Northwest you have absolutely come across Ostrich Ferns. Tall, rain-loving, and ultra-green, these shade-loving fronds make for a wonderful addition to that damp, dark area of your garden. But beyond being a low-maintenance plant, they're also an early spring edible plant!

Prior to the full-grown Ostrich Fern unfurling, some early spring shoots, called fiddleheads, pop out of the ground. These small, tightly curled shots are totally edible and are one of the first signs of spring. Fiddleheads need to be cooked prior to eating, and can be used in a variety of ways!

Read on to check out 10 delectable ways to enjoy these early spring treats from pasta to pickles!

Note: Before enjoying the sweet earthiness of fiddlehead ferns, make sure to cook them first. They should never be consumed raw.

Pistachio Crusted Chicken Breast with Fiddlehead Fern Radish

Here's a recipe that's a great example of how fiddleheads can take the place of asparagus in a dish!

In this recipe from Draper Valley Farms, fiddleheads are sauteed with shallots, garlic, and olive oil and paired with crunchy pistachio-crusted chicken breast.

Saffron threads add an elegant flavor to the fiddlehead relish sauce, while the contrasting textures make this dish especially satisfying.

Find the full recipe at Draper Valley Farms

sautéed fiddlehead recipe — Photo Courtesy of It’s a Veg World After All

Sautéed Fiddleheads with Garlic Lemon Butter

If you're looking for a simple fiddlehead side dish recipe, consider this quick and easy lemony option!

After being cleaned and peeled, fiddleheads are boiled for 10-15 minutes before being sauteed with butter, garlic, and lemon.

Serve your fiddleheads alongside chicken, salmon, or steak.

Find the full recipe at It's a Veg World After All

Gruyere Fiddlehead Tart

Celebrate spring with this cheesy tart made up of shallots, fiddleheads, gruyere, and parmesan cheese.

The crispy crust is made up of a simple combination of flour, butter, sugar, and salt, providing a buttery exterior to the tart's soft interior.

Enjoy this fiddlehead tart at your next brunch with the Co-op's housemade sausage and a mimosa (or 2).

Find the full recipe at Food Network Canada

Spring Onion Fiddlehead Risotto

Nothing is as warm and cozy as risotto, and this springy recipe is perfect for a cold spring evening.

Fiddleheads are paired with spring onions, arborio rice, white wine, chicken stock, and rosemary before being lovingly stirred up to perfection.

Though making risotto may seem a little daunting, it's well worth the time spent. The velvety, creamy texture of risotto is just too good to pass up!

Find the full recipe at Sarah's Cucina Bella

fiddlehead with pasta and ricotta — Photo Courtesy of White Plate Blank Slate

Fiddleheads with Pasta and Ricotta

Here's another fiddlehead pasta recipe that's simple, delicious, and an easy way to enjoy these early spring treats!

Fiddleheads are cooked up with garlic before being tossed up with long pasta and ricotta.

Serve your pasta as a main course or alongside some oven-roasted chicken for a well-rounded spring meal.

Find the full recipe at White Plate Blank Slate

pickled fiddlehead ferns recipe — Photo Courtesy of Practical Self Reliance

Pickled Fiddleheads

If you want to preserve your fiddleheads to enjoy them for a longer period of time, consider pickling them!

Fiddleheads are combined with some common pickling spices like peppercorns, fennel, coriander, thyme, and garlic to create a slightly enhanced fiddlehead flavor that's perfect for snacking on.

This recipe gives your directions for both water bath canning and quick refrigerator pickling, depending on how long you want them to last.

Find the full recipe at Practical Self Reliance

fiddlehead veggie quinoa bowls — Photo Courtesy of Baked Greens

Fiddlehead & Spring Veggie Quinoa Bowls

There's nothing like a light and fresh quinoa bowl for dinner on an especially warm spring day!

In this healthy recipe, fiddleheads, avocado, and pea shoots are put on top of a bed 0f quinoa before being drizzled with a light and lemony vinaigrette.

Customize this bowl with whatever other spring veggies you have on hand. Or, sub out the quinoa for your favorite whole grain!

Find the full recipe at Baked Greens

fiddlehead stir fry recipe — Photo Courtesy of Honest Food

Fiddlehead Stir Fry with Pork

Looking for a fiddlehead recipe with a little more protein? Consider this stir-fried pork recipe!

Pork loin is marinated in a simple combination of corn starch, soy sauce, salt, and sugar before being seared in a wok with fiddleheads and other spring veggies.

Serve your stir fry over a bed of brown rice for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

Find the full recipe at Honest Food