Vegetable Fern (Pako') - Athyrium esculentum
Pako' abounds in the wild - fields, forests and on river banks. It is often found growing on the backyard and idle lots. Because many people have learned to eat pako', it is now widely sold in public markets just like any vegetable.
Gather the young leaves or fronds which are eaten either raw or cooked. They may be used as salad with various dressings, as leafy vegetable, or as ingredient of stews.
At home we prefer Ilocos Vinegar for dressing, with chopped onions, and a dash of salt. Try fresh tomato instead of vinegar.
When cooking bulanglang or diningding, include pako' singly ir in combination with other vegetables like spinach and eggplant. Don't forget sweet potato (kamote) in cubes as thickening (buridibud).
Mineral Content and Food Value of fresh Athyrium esculentum (percent)
Athyrium esculentum has twce- or thrice-pinnate frond which are 50 to 80 cm long and about half as wide. The pinnules are pointed, coarsely serrate, and about 2 to 5 cm long. The plant is abundantly distributed in the Philippines growing on gravelly bars and banks of streams. It is also found growing widely from India to Polynesia.
Pako' (Athyrium esculentum) growing habit
Another fern is edible. This is Ceratopteris thalictroides, a stout fern with leaves that are divideed into numerous narrow sgments.. It is aquatic and it actually grows on mud. It is also found all over the Philippines and in all tropical countries.
- Western sword fern, Polystichum munitum, "king of northwest ferns."
- Bracken, Pteridium aquilinum, found worldwide
- Ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, found in northern regions worldwide, and the central/eastern part of North America
- Lady fern, Athyrium filix-femina, throughout most of the temperate northern hemisphere.
- Cinnamon fern or buckhorn fern, Osmunda cinnamomea, found in the eastern parts of North America, although not so palatable as ostrich fern.
- Royal fern, Osmunda regalis, found worldwide
- Midin, or Stenochlaena palustris, found in Sarawak, where it is prized as a local delicacy
- Zenmai or flowering fern, Osmunda japonica, found in East Asia
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