Linguda (Fiddlehead Fern)

Linguda (Fiddlehead Fern) is a prehistoric plant that grows wild along the moist river banks of the Himalayas. It is one of the few ferns that are edible. It has a curled, spiral head (resembling a violin scroll) and a crunchy, asparagus-like texture. Linguda cannot be farmed; it must be foraged during the monsoon season. It is a delicacy in Pahadi cuisine, typically eaten as a vegetable stir-fry or pickled to be enjoyed throughout the year. It represents the deep connection between the hill people and the forest.