HUNTING MUSHROOMS by SUEANN

                  

Spring is the best time to find mushrooms. They like cool, moist, days...not too wet, not too cool. In my part of the State, south western Ohio, we have had the hard, long winter that everyone else has had, which is unusual for us. But, the "rooms" have not disappointed us.

The early ones to come up are Morels. They are considered the caviar of mushrooms..because they are hard to find. But not in our yard! Last year we found only a few this year..we are finding about a dozen a day!!! Morels are said to like leafy matter...so you will find people searching them under the trees in the woods..but for us..they are all over the place!! We live on two acres..surrounded by hay fields.

Last year, I found them in our ash pit..where we dumped the ashes from the wood stove..this year..they are in a more "field" area....So you never know where you will see them.

The next ones to come up...real soon too, are Field Mushrooms, or, as we call them here "pink undies"-meaning...if you look under the white cap, the gills will be a pretty pink! The field "rooms" have a copy cat, which is poisonous, hence calling them "pink undies", the copy cat looks exactly like the field ones...stem, cap, but the gills are WHITE....! Not a hint of pink on them! So when looking for them...be very careful when you pick..look under the cap first. The field mushrooms look like little white buttons, the longer they grow, the caps (button tops) get wider. It is always best to have a good mushroom identification book too.

If you find a patch of mushrooms, and some are old, or shriveled, just stomp on them, grind them in the grass a bit...for next year.You don't need to cover them up...just a little stomp will do.

Last year we were finding a pound a day of the field ones. Unfortunatley, they do not keep well, past a day or so...so canning them is out of the question-never enough at one time to can. so for a few short days, maybe a week and a half, mushrooms are the main course! Never wash a mushroom until you are ready to use it, they are organic, and start breaking down as soon as they get wet...so let them sit on the counter for a bit, while you do other things. I collect them in the early morning, and don't touch them until it is time for supper!

What do you do with them?! LOTS! I make a "pie", so easy and quick, and there is always scrambled eggs, baked eggs, soup, sauce, fresh in a salad, cooked with a little butter only, maybe a few onions. Once we go thru all the recipes, we start over again!! and you would think..oh no- mushrooms again! But...we remember they are here for a few short weeks, until next year..so the complaining is minimal!!

for the pie, (I use this basic recipe for spinach, broccoli, asparagus, ), take 4 eggs and beat well, salt and pepper to taste, add about 2 cups milk, beat well, then add the cut up mushrooms,and about a cup and a little more of any cheese you like. Put all in a greased pie plate, or a square pan. Sprinkle grated cheese on top,for the "crust". Bake, 350 degrees for an hour-test center with toothpick for done-ness. This can be frozen after baked...sometimes I have a LOT of something...and this is the best way to preserve it for a few months down the road. wrap it in waxed paper, then plastic wrap, then put in a plastic bag and freeze. Thaw, and re-heat in the oven-or..cut slices and heat in the microwave.

I will write later, on Lilacs and making floral waters...they are the next to be in bloom.

Grace, and Peace.

SueAnn

THANK YOU SUE ANN FOR THE INFORMATION.  WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

TOMORROW IS MEMORIAL DAY POST.  THERE WILL NOT BE A POST ON MONDAY. JEAN WILL BE ON TUESDAY, THE 28TH. RECIPE WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 29TH.