Ferns & Where to Find Them

Today I learned that the fern shoots we eat in Hawaii are the same that are eaten in Japan.  On my walk this afternoon I came across our friendly neighbor Taie-chan, a lady around our moms age, raising chickens, caring for her family and her massive farm.  She was once an English teacher here in Japan so I can have broken English conversations with her.  She also takes some time to teach me Japanese, making me repeat phrases and items.   I love her for this.

We sat under her tree today and talked about her chickens and how they are fearful for the wild cats around the house.  Then we started talking about the ferns she had growing near us, where the chickens like to hide.  These fern shoots are called Kogomi, as she referred “the king of ferns”.

I told her him Hawaii we eat all kinds of fern and believe I’ve had what she was talking about before.  She started quickly picking some for me to make, like any grandma eating is a must!   Mentioning some of the ferns I knew, which go by Japanese names in Hawaii she was surprised that we have them there.

While we picked some of the Kogomi I came across a little plant hidden under all of it.  It was Sato Imo or better known in Hawaii as TARO!  Yes, the one item I thought would be impossible to find here was growing in my neighbors yard.  We talked about taro, what the ancient Hawaiians used it for and told her that if she ever had any leaves left, to please give me so I can make her Laulau. 

Hawaiian food in Japan is a experience they love but rarely ever get as most people here don’t know how to cook it.  I would have to admit that I think almost ALL the cooks I have come across here have the knowledge and skills to do it, I just think they stick to what they are good at.

In any event we started to wind down our conversations which can sometime last too long, and ran to the road to introduce me to some of her neighbors. We exchanged hellos and I made my way home.

Getting home, I washed the Kogomi, chopped it into bite size portions and boiled it for a few minutes.   Once done, chilled it in cold water, seasoned it and put it in the fridge for dinner.

I can’t wait to eat it.  I’m so happy and feel beyond blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people, with rich stories, grounded personalities and amazing generous hearts. It’s kind of a good feeling to know that no matter where I am, the food that my family prepared for me growing up, finds its way to me!