Monday 5 September 2011

Magic Mushrooms

I had a feeling that yesterday would be a good day to go mushroom hunting.  We have had a few showers and a lot of sunshine, perfect conditions for emerging mushrooms.  Basket in hand I had a wander around the field that backs on to my garden.  And there they were, a patch of Horse Mushrooms.  I can't tell you what a thrill it is to find them.    I shall make mushroom soup with some (I have given some to my friend), slice and freeze others, and the rest:-
These are Field Mushrooms
I had on toast for lunch.  The taste of mushrooms on toast is my absolute, absolute, favourite.  Between one year and the next I forget just how much I love the taste.  Shop bought mushrooms just do not compare, I make oohing and aahing noises between every mouthful.  If you have never eaten fresh mushrooms from the field, then you just do not know what you are missing. 

I suggest you put your wellies on right now and go foraging.  There are Chanterelle to be found in woodland right until November, and Ceps or Edible Boletus predominantly found in Beech woods, around the margins, Giant Puffballs in meadows and pastures, Field Mushrooms in all grassy places and, of course, Horse Mushrooms.  Care should be taken with these, if you cut the stem and it turns yellow, they should not be eaten. 

Of course, care must be taken with any mushroom - positive identification is a must.  Oh I forgot to mention Blewitts these are also edible, they are sort of rubbery in appearance with a blue tinge.  All of the above are absolutely delicious, and I look forward to the season every year.  My heart beats that little bit faster when I find them - and as for eating, well, you know how I feel about that.  Ecstatic that's what.

12 comments:

  1. I'm too much of a coward to eat mushrooms that are growing wild, just in case I pick the wrong ones.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have always been a fungus freak and been doing it for a long time so hopefully I know what I'm picking. If you don't hear from me again, you know I've made a mistake!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You've reminded me how I used to go foraging for mushrooms on the airfields at Culdrose in Cornwall when very young. My aviator father would have the four of us out of the house at dawn, wellies on and off we'd go with our baskets to gather mushrooms for breakfast, while mum had some peace and quiet. Such fun and so thrilling to find the biggest! Haven't done that for years and not confident that I'd identify correctly so very impressed with your skills! Caro xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's funny what brings memories back isn't it - I never even realised that mushrooms grew in the wild, I thought they all came from mushroom factories. So glad I found out that nature provides.

    ReplyDelete
  5. We gather and eat the chanterelles. other than that I'm not confidant enough in my ID. We have a Norwegian friend coming to stay who is an expert so I may go out with her.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have two huge white mushrooms that have popped up in my garden. I've no idea what they are and I'm not going to eat them. Pity because they look very tasty!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow! I've never hunted mushrooms but have read many blogs by people who do. I think it's great that you have an eye for which ones are edible or not. The ones you found look great!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love mushrooms but I only buy them from the shop, I would have no idea which were edible and which weren't. Your lunch looks delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I envy you the knowledge that makes you a confident mushroom picker. Our trouble is they never look 'just like' the ones in books, there's always some doubt that says it could be a wicked cousin. A course is on our wish list.

    ReplyDelete
  10. i could almost smell and taste the mushrooms as I read this! delicious. Lovely blog and photos too.
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Believe me Lilith - it tasted as good as it looked.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I always find mushrooms and fungi amazing and mysterious. I remember a tree near where we used to live had these absolutely huge mushrooms growing from it - similar to these yet slightly different colors.

    psilocybe cubensis syringe

    ReplyDelete

If you have enjoyed reading this post why not leave a comment - I would love to hear from you.

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...