Every year we look forward to picking mushrooms. It is good exercise and we enjoy walking in the woods on a cool morning. In spring we look for Morals and in fall we look for the Buttons. We also pick the enormous Puffball. I have been picking mushrooms since I have been a young'n. I only pick the ones I am sure are good to eat. Many are poisonous, you must be careful! If you are thinking of picking mushrooms and cooking up a batch, get a good mushroom book, so you can identify them, or find someone who has been picking for years. Even touching some kinds of mushrooms can be hazardous to your health. Know what you are picking!
There are many types of edible mushrooms, but we pick only those we know about, and have been raised on. I was told many years ago that if you blanch your mushrooms with onions and the onions stay white, the mushrooms are safe to eat. If the onions turn dark in color...throw the whole batch away. There is a poisonous one in the crowd! I still do this every time I blanch them, before consuming any. Mushrooms are a delicacy during the winter months and dress up a simple meal. Know what you are picking!
As you can see, my grandson is holding a Puffball. We found about 25 of them in his yard, last year. This made for some good mushroom stock for cream of mushroom soup. In fall we look for the Buttons. I make those with fried bacon and onions. YUM! The Morals we get in spring and just fry them in butter. They taste like steak! Oh, the wonderful surprises we find!
Buy a Mushroom book and read carefully, pick carefully, prepare carefully and live a long life!
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