Boiled fiddleheads is a simple dish of native Canadian greens that are called ostrich ferns or fiddlehead ferns. The bright green curled leaves of ostrich ferns are first thoroughly rinsed before being boiled in salted water until fully cooked and tender.
Once ready, the boiled fiddleheads are usually consumed while still hot and are often topped with melted butter. Boiled fiddleheads are said to have a flavor reminiscent of asparagus, broccoli, and artichokes. In Canada, this dish is enjoyed as a spring delicacy, especially in those parts where ostrich ferns grow, including Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.