🍲 Simmered Stir-fried Royal Ferns

In mountain villages, "fried royal fern with oil," tofu paste, and simmered vegetables have been eaten since ancient times. Otoyo Town, located in the central part of the Shikoku mountain range, is one of the most famous places in Kochi Prefecture for the production of royal ferns. The town covers a vast area of 315.06 km2, more than 80% of which is covered by mountains and forests. Settlements and arable lands dot the steep slopes at elevations of 200 to 850 meters, where paddy rice and yuzu are cultivated in addition to royal ferns. Royal ferns are an important dietary staple because they can be preserved for a long period of time when boiled and dried. Harvested in spring, royal ferns are processed into dried royal ferns or boiled in water and shipped. In the old days, royal fern dishes were often served as part of meals on the day of rice planting. Because they go well with oil, and oil-based dishes help people stay fuller for longer, royal ferns were highly valued by farmers.