(Mushroom photo taken far away)
A couple of days ago on my walk on this street, I spotted two pristine colonies of velvet shank/Enoki mushrooms across the stream. Unfortunately, I wasn't geared up at the time, so I couldn't pick them.
Today, I returned to the area only to find that half of the mushrooms were gone, wilted by the cold. Despite this, I persisted in picking what was left, knowing that it might be the last opportunity this winter.
I had to step across the stream, and eventually, I got my hands on these heart-tasting mushrooms to take home. While crawling up the other side, my basket was on the opposite bank. I took the chance to throw my mushrooms in the basket to free up my hand. Unfortunately, my aim was not perfect, and my shrooms missed, rolling down the fast stream.
As I stared at them being swept away, I asked myself, "Should I chase it?"
Without hesitation, I ran ahead of the mushrooms and went down the stream, waiting for them to be fished out. And I did it!
Back home with a handful.
I washed and soaked them in salt and vinegar.
After roughly drying them, I heated and spiced them up before preserving them in organic olive oil. I'll let them mature for a week, and the prize will be enjoying these mushrooms on top of my sourdough bread! I'm looking forward to savoring them in a week's time. They should taste slightly sweet, fruity, earthy, with a mild umami flavor. Apparently, they contain high levels of anti-cancer compounds. Rich in Vitamins K, E, D, B6, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folate, and choline. With zero cholesterol, they make an ideal garnish for carnivore diet.
Maybe I'm a bit mad, but have you ever done silly stuff when picking your shrooms? 🍄
Other Mushrooms I spotted today:
King Alfred's Cake is not edible, but it can be used for charcoal briquettes for campfire cooking, firelighters, or to transport fire as a hand warmer. The legend says that King Arthur, while trying to escape pursuers, sought shelter in the home of a peasant woman who asked him to watch over her cake cooking over the fire. Unfortunately, he allowed it to overcook, and in an attempt to hide his mistake, he scattered the burnt cake in the forest. The woman scolded him for his carelessness
False Turkey Tail, an imposter. It has no pores or tiny holes underside unlike the true turkey tail. Growing on dead tree over the stream.
Robust bracket.
I was gently poking it, and it fell. Fortunately, it is a parasitic species, so I saved the tree. This mushroom is long-lived and may grow for over two decades."
That's my mushroom adventure today!
Thank you for reading.
Have a wonderful day!
Mariah 😊
