Adder's tongue fern

Ophioglossum reticulatum

leaf · vegetable

Leaves of a small fern, in salad or cooked in Zanzibar; in Indonesia, a prized vegetable gathered with care.

Origin

Tropics worldwide

Where to find it

In damp grasslands and rice paddies.

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

The young leaves are picked one by one, without pulling up the plant, and washed well.

Molecules

Beta-carotene (vitamin A) · Lutein and zeaxanthinIn small amounts, not counted Vegetable nitrates · Chlorophyll

Did you know?

They should only be blanched: boiled too long, they turn to a slimy mush.