Cooking Edible Ferns With Grated Coconut

Before you scroll down further on my food blog this time, you have to make sure that you really understand what ferns are edible. There are lots of non-edible ferns out there.

In Indonesia, edible ferns are called PAKIS. From the search I did on the internet, it turns out that the edible ferns in my area look a little different from what I saw on the internet. In my area, edible ferns look smaller especially on the headferns.

Also, in my area, edible ferns have lots of edible leaves. So, I'm sure there are many types of similar ferns out there, but only a few are edible. Just be careful.

My mother and I used to often pick edible ferns. I did that back when I was a kid, when there were bushes and small forest areas near my house. My mother used to guide me to pick edible ferns. Just like the moment when we took wild mushrooms. Must be careful with edible and inedible.
Edible Ferns For Sale At Local Market
Currently I only rely on the local market to procure edible ferns. I don't dare to look for edible ferns in the wild. Too risky for that. There are many wild plants that have the same headferns.
At the local market I buy edible ferns at low prices. That's good! Some kind of nostalgia. It's not every day that I buy edible ferns. Only when I'm missing my late mom, and I'm nostalgic in the kitchen.
Ferns Salad With Grated Coconut

In Indonesia, the most popular way to serve edible ferns is to make them into salads and make them into gravy with creamy coconut milk.
This time I will share a recipe for edible ferns which is made into a salad, mixed with seasoned grated coconut.

For special seasoning, I use red chilli with red onion and garlic, with some other aromatic herbs. In Indonesia, we are used to relying on chilies and onions to season vegetables to make them more delicious. So, let's look at the ingredients and how to cook it.
The Ingredients

- one full bunch of edible ferns (about 250 grams
- 2 cups of grated coconut
- 3 cloves of red onions
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 5 red chilies
- 1 stalk of lemongrass, divided into two parts and flattened
- 2 thumb sizes of flattened ginger
- 3 kaffir lime leaves
- 1 teaspoon of salt to boil ferns
- 1 teaspoon of salt to mix with salad
Cooking Steps
Removing Hard Stem of Ferns

Boiling Ferns

Bring the water to a boil. Add salt, then add ferns. Cook about 10 minutes.
After boiling, set aside the ferns to be mixed with the seasoned grated coconut later.
Making Chilli Paste
While waiting for the ripe ferns to be boiled, making chili paste. Here I'm using traditional tools (a mortar and pestle). Flattened lemongrass and ginger.
Cooking Chilli Paste
First, heat the cooking oil. Add lemongrass, ginger and kaffir lime leaves. Then add chili paste. Cook until the chili changes color.
Cooking Grated Coconut

Add grated coconut into Chili paste. Keep stirring until grated coconut looks drier than before.
Mixing Boiled Ferns With Seasoned Grated Coconut
Adding Boiled Ferns. Mix them well by stirring continuously so they don't burn. Cook for a few minutes until they are thoroughly mixed. Then serve.

Our family really likes this fern coconut salad. Usually, my family serves it with warm rice. Oh, soo yummy!
The combination of grated coconut and Boiled ferns is the perfect match. We can also add chopped cucumber for this savory salad.
Do you cook ferns or have you seen them in your local market? Make sure you really get ferns supplies from a trusted seller. See you!
Thank you for reading my blog and reblog if you want my blog this time worthy of reading by others.


Best Regards,
Anggrek Lestari

Anggrek Lestari is an Indonesian fiction writer who has published two major books. Now She is a full-time content creator. She has a goal to share life, poem, and food content that makes others happy and can get inspiration.
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Discord: anggreklestari#3009
The way you have captured those ingredients 📸 is just incredibly impressive an gorgeous 💯 The recipe is unique, never have I heard of such pairing.
In Indonesia, we get used to cook them.
I just love take pictures from my cooking activities and I'm so happy if you enjoy it 🙂
I think this fern is the same with what we call Pako in oir place...
I love how you present ypur cooking in such an aesthetic manner. It's enticing. The food looks really delicious.
Oh, that's just some different alphabet 🙂 great you know this veggie too 🌸
Too bad I can't see what kind of fern is this
Back in the day, we used to harvest ferns in the woods and cook them in coconut milk.. .i hope the photos will show up later as I want to see this recipe ☺️
We use coconut milk too for another popular recipe.
Day by days, we are difficult to find something natural 🥺
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Thank you so much for the info about ferns. I guess I'd also play safe and go buy them in the market, but it's always good to know as one ver knows... Your dish looks so delicate and tempting, @anggreklestari. I think it looks really elegant ❤️
We learn edible plants from old young before and yeah always be safe around 😊
Wow! This is my first time knowing that there are edible ferns as well. It looks delicious then. Thanks for sharing this one. God bless.
With coconut milk, more tasty 😋
Glad I can share new things here and thanks for enjoying this one ❤️🌸
You're welcome. My pleasure. God bless
This is my first time knowing that fern can be a delicious dish.
Thank you for your blog.
Hoping to see more blogs about delicious foodies from you.
Here that’s our local dish. Happy to share this with others.
Thanks for stopping by 😊
We call it Pako here and we also use this for salad. Same as your procedure we boiled them and remove the water, add onions, ginger and calamansi or lemon juice and salt to taste.
This is one is unique too and haven't tried it yet. Looks delicious with coconut.
whoa, so just different some seasoning. That’s great we have similar things to eat. We are so close!
I had plan to go to your country 😅 but I don’t know if I can make it. ahaha
I love foraging. I think we might have this fern to in Cambodia. Will have to research what it looks like. Thanks for sharing 🙏
I think so in Cambodia 😊
Thanks for stopping by
we have plenty here around but the first time heard about some are edible. I will check it when going for a walk. Thanks for sharing the info and recipe. 💖😃
Just watch and I think you should ask people about the edible information 🙂