Fiddlehead Frenzy

Spring is just around the corner and Norcliff Farms is gearing up for another season of fiddlehead harvest. Typically, the season runs from the end of April through mid June. With the warmer weather upon us earlier than normal, Norcliff Farms’ fiddlehead experts are predicting that the crop will be popping up almost two weeks earlier than usual this year (Predicting April 20th 2010)! The team at Norcliff Farms has been working closely with Professor John Delong from Agri-Food Canada to better understand the nutritional benefits that Fiddleheads provide to us. With such outstanding information, it won’t be surprising to find that Fiddlehead Greens will be deemed the next “Superfood”.

Did You Know That Fiddleheads:

• Have twice the antioxidant activity of Blueberries
• Are comparable to spinach in ascorbate and protein content
• Are 3 – 4 times higher than spinach in phenolic compound concentration
• Are an ideal nutritional source of omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6
• Are a good source of macro and micro elements
• Are very low in sodium content and high in fibre

  Source: Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 32 Main St., Kentville, Nova Scotia, B4N 1J5 If you enjoy the flavors of broccoli and asparagus, fiddleheads will meet you somewhere in the middle and provides consumers with far more of the daily dose of recommended vitamins and minerals than most other options. With such versatility fiddlehead greens can be substituted in just about any recipe that usually calls for broccoli or asparagus and they can also be served as a side seasoned with some butter and salt and pepper to taste. Fiddleheads can be found at all your Sobey’s, Metro, Loblaws and National Grocers chains. Although our fresh product is only available for a very limited time throughout the year, our frozen fiddleheads and fiddlehead puree, best used in dishes such recipes soups and quiches, can be purchased year round. Norcliff recognizes the importance of buying local and the “green” trend that is sweeping our nation. We understand that individuals and families are becoming much more conscious of their health and more aware of what they are allowing to enter their bodies. For this reason, Norcliff has continued to pride ourselves on the Wild-Harvest fiddlehead greens we offer to our consumers. Norcliff is a chemical free company, eliminating all “CIDES” from the growing process. No FungiCIDES, PestiCIDES or HerbiCIDES are used on our plants. For facts and information on Fiddlehead Greens please visit our website at www.norcliff.com. Liana Curtis
Marketing Coordinator Norcliff Farms Inc.


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