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    Home » Wild Herbs and Spices

    Sweet Fern Recipes

    About

    Sweetfern, also known as Comptonia peregrina, is a wild herb with a strong, resinous aroma you can use to flavor everything from sweet to savory dishes. Look for it in places where wild blueberries grow.

    Quick Links

    If you're new to cooking with this plant, please read The Forager's Guide to Sweetfern

    Sweetfern Shortbread Cookies | Wild Blueberry Sauce with Sweetfern | Tepary Beans de la Olla with Sweetfern |

    Edible Parts

    Both the leaves and seeds dried and fresh can be used in cooking.

    Leaves

    The leaves have a strong aroma but can become strong or bitter if used with a heavy hand.

    Think of cooking with sweet fern leaves as you would bay leaves. 

    Sweetfern or Comptonia peregrina outside

    The leaves can be used similarly to bay.

    Seeds

    Also known as nutlets, the seeds of the plant are aromatic and potent. I prefer using them to the leaves for most purposes as it's easier to control their flavor. They dry well and keep a good flavor stored in a pantry.

    dried sweetfern seeds or nutlets in a bowl

    Dried seeds have a wonderful flavor.

    • Homemade Porse Snaps
    • Sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina)
    • Tepary Beans de la Olla with Sweetfern
    • Sweetfern Cookies
    • Wild Blueberry Sauce with Sweetfern

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    Chef Alan Bergo

    HI, I'm Alan: James Beard Award-winning Chef, Author, Show Host and Forager. I've been writing about cooking wild food here for over a decade. Let me show you why foraging is the most delicious thing you'll ever do.

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