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. 

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 seeds have a wonderful flavor.