What have you tried that was frugal, but didn't work out very well?

Did you research them first? Some have a disease in some areas. Most people have them tested to make sure they don't have that. They should be steamed and taste like asparagus. If they don't, that would be your first clue that they're tainted. Best in recipes with lots of cheese like asparagus quiche. I got some one time from a path and became very ill. Later on I found out they were from a snowmobile trail and had been contaminated with gas and oil. Please search "fiddlehead fern" pictures, disease, and recipes. One of each at a time. We had a 4 Star Hotel in our area make wild food delicacies. They had a fiddlehead fern quiche that melted in your mouth and was to absolutely die for. It was at a buffet and I kept going up after more. Also some ferns look like fiddleheads and aren't; they have a high acid content and should never be used. Always research the daylights out of everything before you try to harvest. I wish I had before I poisoned myself with that snow mobile trail. 10 websites at least and only believe those that have lived the lifestyle of gatherer or scientists who have studied it personally. Not friend of a friend or people who research but have never done anything with the food. If you want me to, I will research and get back to you with the links of what I've found. If you don't like asparagus, then unless you cover the heck out of it with cheese, you probably won't like it. But if you like or love asparagus, then you had a bad batch. My friend stems them and makes a cream sauce without all the fuss of quiche and it comes out good, too. Like like that hotel, though!

You know what, my dear...thinking of them conjures up such a bad taste, I think I will channel my energies in foraging for stuff that I really love! Y'know the old expression; "been there, done that." And yes, I am not even sure the ferns that we have here are the true "fiddleheads"! Glad you love seafood/shellfish...and realistically, it does not pack on the pounds, it is the way it is prepared...so have had to curb the garlic butter, but there are so many ways to enjoy!

Think of it as a lesson in, "Research more, harvest less, until you get the hang of it." I know, seafood, potatoes, pop corn-all butter-added things that we cause to be unheathy by adding too much other stuff to it. Take care.

What do you need to do? What have you tried? Have you asked for or gotten any help from Mylot? If you are more specific, maybe we can help you. Thanks and take care.