ぜんまい

noun

Japanese royal fern; Asian royal fern; flowering fern

Refers to the fern Osmunda japonica, a wild edible plant. The young fiddleheads are harvested in spring and are a seasonal delicacy in Japan.

• 春はるになると、山やまでぜんまいを採とる人ひとが多おおい。

  In spring, many people gather zenmai in the mountains.

• ぜんまいの煮に物ものは素そ朴ぼくな味あじがする。

  Simmered zenmai has a simple, rustic flavor.