We've had nothing but cool weather and rain for weeks which has made the usual summer menu a challenge. Mike pointed out last week that wet cool weather is perfect for mushroom growing and so we set off in search of whatever we could find. Our harvest was plenty, and once home, the identification process began. Here's Mike on the phone describing the three varieties we found to his family, as manyRussians love picking mushrooms and can readily identify various types:
Mushrooms are totally fascinating. We now have an Audobon guide and are learning a lot more about them and how to tell them apart which I highly recommend for any budding mycologists out there. As you know, many mushrooms are poisonous or can make you grow taller or shorter, so one must be very careful. You can go quite a ways identifying your mushrooms via internet or book, but many times a small taste test is necessary- any sign of bitterness and you want to discard. One kind we picked had a spicy flavor, very odd, also not safe to eat. Your best bet are to find Chanterelles which we now hunt:
Chanterelles can be identified by their gilled underside, attached stem, and unifrom ochre coloring. Our only edible find, "Slippery Jacks," were edible but required fussy handling and some among us experienced gastrointestinal antics as a result of eating them. So! Go boldly but carefully.
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