Morel Madness

Did you find any morels this season?

Since this is only our second season of real 'shroom hunting, we're relative newbies to the game. But, in regards to morel hunting, I'd say we did okay for ourselves this spring.

If you've never been out looking for morels, a few things to consider...

1. These babies are relatively easy to pick out, thanks to their hollow stems, unusual cap-shape and texture.

An afternoon morel bounty

2. In my humble opinion, morels are so scrumptious. Cook em' up and slap them on top of some pizza with some snazzy cheese for gourmet-style deliciousness!  

Giant morel stuffed with crab meat and cheese. A-MAZ-ING!

3. Be sure you don't confuse morels with false morels, which are NOT hollow inside the stem. False morel stems have a solid, meaty flesh and can be dangerous to consume. Read more about false morels here. 

If you're the outdoorsy type and feel like joining the hunt next season, a few MORE things to consider...

Once you've positively identified morels in an area, it's likely that they'll grow there again in following seasons. Remember to make note of the places you've found them and revisit to check for more. 

Check Morels.com for news/info/spottings in your state. Be forewarned, however; it can be painfully frustrating to see people nearby coming home to post pics of BAGS of morels when you haven't found a lone 'shroom. Stay positive. They're out there somewhere. You just have to know where to look.

My BIG find this season.

And on that note, when you DO find them, shhhhhhhhh! I get such a kick out of the secretive nature of morel hunting. Many hunters are ultra-protective of their spots once they've hit the jackpot, so if you plan to return next season, keep your location under tight wraps. It's more fun that way, of course. 

Now that we've started hunting, we've bumped into plenty of like-minded folk out there a' searching. Hope we never run into any grumpy hunters...

Mushroom wars?!?

Here, we've found our morels from the end of April through the end of May. So study up for next season and have yourselves a BLAST out there searching. It's a treasure hunt in the woods every time. 

And again, NEVER eat ANY raw mushroom in the wild and make absolutely sure you have positively identified any mushroom you intend to consume.

"There are old mushroom hunters, there are bold mushroom hunters - but there are no old, bold mushroom hunters!."
-- Minnesota Mycological Society

Get it? Nuff said. 

Next on the huntin' schedule...chanterelles! 

Will report. 

You know it.

Have fun in the woods, my friends!
Have you found any interesting mushrooms yet this season?

XOXO From My Hearth to Yours

Catch up on my previous 'shroom hunting post- A Family of Mycophiles? here.

And P.S.- Remember that ALL readers can still get a discount on RideSafer travel vests this month. head over to Safe Ride 4 Kids here and enter the coupon code "hearth10" to receive a $10 discount off any order placed in the month of June.