Mushroom hunting

claws · May 10, 2011, 01:21:31 AM

Where I grew up hunting for mushrooms has been and still is a 'normal' thing to do. They even teach us about eatable and poison ones in school.
Locals here are very secretive and protective about their mushroom hot spots, ever since weekend hunters (towns folk) started invading our forests and fields in search of mushrooms a couple of years ago.

Chanterelles, slippery jack, forest champignons and boletus are very delicious and just a few of many that grow in our area. "Official" mushroom hunting season here starts in August and ends in October.

Any of you guys hunt for mushrooms?

ghouck · May 10, 2011, 01:47:09 AM

I haven't, but would if I could. Mushrooms are awesome. I made some vegetable calzones a while back and the mushrooms made them real good.

RCMerchant · May 10, 2011, 04:54:27 AM

Where do you live,Claws? Cuz morells are up here right now! I like to hunt for morells-best place to find them is around dead elm trees and around pines.
In the fall I hunt for buttons. Usually around rotton trees and stumps. An old Russian farmer taught me where to look when I was a kid.

This is a GOOD mushroom...

This is a BAD mushroom...

Jack · May 10, 2011, 06:30:30 AM

We had one of those Morels growing in our back yard last year. I didn't pick it, I have no idea which ones are safe and which will lead to an agonizing death. It's a popular hobby around here too, with people keeping their best spots like some national secret.

The Burgomaster · May 10, 2011, 11:37:09 AM

Quote from: claws on May 10, 2011, 01:21:31 AM
Any of you guys hunt for mushrooms?

I usually find the canned ones in aisle 2 and the fresh ones in the produce section.

Ed, Ego and Superego · May 10, 2011, 12:21:00 PM

I have a buddy who does, and he brings me cool ones once in a while. Its great fun I am told.
-Ed

AndyC · May 10, 2011, 01:41:13 PM

My dad used to bring home puffballs. Slice them and sautee them in butter and they're very good. Maybe a bit chewier than mushrooms. The slices could also be blanched and frozen.

Dad was into hunting wild plants for quite a few years. I can remember puffballs and shaggy mane mushrooms, as well as wild leeks and asparagus. We ate a lot of free asparagus when I was a kid. It was by far the easiest to find and prepare.

claws · May 10, 2011, 01:51:38 PM

Quote from: RCMerchant on May 10, 2011, 04:54:27 AM
Where do you live,Claws? Cuz morells are up here right now!

Germany. We have morells too. I should keep an eye out for those when I go "hunting" again :)

retrorussell · May 10, 2011, 02:02:43 PM

These mushrooms are good:

And these are bad. You want to stomp on these.

The Burgomaster · May 10, 2011, 03:18:35 PM

Looks tasty:

Mr. DS · May 10, 2011, 07:39:52 PM

I haven't but would love to learn. Its my kind of thing to do.

ghouck · May 10, 2011, 07:55:49 PM

Quote from: The Burgomaster on May 10, 2011, 03:18:35 PM
Looks tasty:

Whoa, I didn't know you swung that way Burg. .

Raffine · May 10, 2011, 08:23:13 PM

Quote from: The Burgomaster on May 10, 2011, 11:37:09 AM
Quote from: claws on May 10, 2011, 01:21:31 AM
Any of you guys hunt for mushrooms?

I usually find the canned ones in aisle 2 and the fresh ones in the produce section.

I'm with you. If those wild ones don't kill you they are probably soaked in frog pee.

AndyC · May 10, 2011, 08:48:04 PM

Quote from: The DarkSider on May 10, 2011, 07:39:52 PM
I haven't but would love to learn. Its my kind of thing to do.

That's a heck of a thing to say right after Burgo's post.

RCMerchant · May 11, 2011, 05:39:16 AM

Quote from: AndyC on May 10, 2011, 01:41:13 PM
My dad used to bring home puffballs. Slice them and sautee them in butter and they're very good. Maybe a bit chewier than mushrooms. The slices could also be blanched and frozen.

Dad was into hunting wild plants for quite a few years. I can remember puffballs and shaggy mane mushrooms, as well as wild leeks and asparagus. We ate a lot of free asparagus when I was a kid. It was by far the easiest to find and prepare.

Puff balls are good! But I'll do without the asparagus-UGH! I see too much of that stuff at work (I work in a cannery).Plus as a kid I picked that sh!t before school and after school for comic book money.
I live in farm country here-so as a kid stealing apples,cherries (sweet and sour-give ya the squirts,though!),blueberries,strawberrries-while on bike riding adventures was fun.And grapes -mostly Concord-are all over the place. (I only stole as much as I could eat on the spot...or before the farmers caught me up in one of there trees or fields and chased me out!)
Hunting for wild blackberries,rassberries, mulberries,elderberries and the elusive gooseberries was fun too! And great on cereal!

But wild pear are my favorite-when their still green and crunchy! YUM YUM!