Fushun Bracken Fern

Fushun Bracken Fern

　　Bracken fern, also known as fist vegetable, cat’s paw, or dragon head vegetable. Scientific name: Pteridium aquilinum (Linn.) Kuhn var. latiusculum (Desv.) Underw. ex Heller, belonging to the Dennstaedtiaceae family. It thrives in sunny areas of shallow mountainous regions and is commonly found in sparse mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests. The edible part is the tender, unopened leaf bud. Wild bracken fern grows in forests, mountains, and pine woods, making it a pollution-free green wild vegetable. It is not only rich in various vitamins needed by the human body but also offers benefits such as cleansing the intestines, improving digestion, and soothing muscles and joints.

　　Before consumption, bracken fern is blanched in boiling water and then soaked in cold water to remove any bitterness, after which it is ready to eat. The processed fern has a fragrant, smooth texture, and when mixed with seasonings, it becomes refreshingly delicious, making it an excellent accompaniment to drinks. It can also be stir-fried, dried, used as a filling, or pickled into canned products.