Our neighbors, Kenny and Ricky, just called us over to their place.... they had discovered a bunch of morels back in their woods, and invited us to join in on the bounty. It was our first mushroom hunting experience, and what fun!
Of course, this was more like an Easter Egg Hunt... they already knew where the morels were, and sent us off in the right general direction to see what we could find. But that's what you have to do for beginners like us. And even though we already knew where the morels were supposed to be, we still had the darnedest time finding them. You really have to train your eye!
From the end of April thru the beginning of May, morels start popping up in unexpected places, especially right after a big rain. It is difficult to predict where they will show up, as they seem to jump from place to place year after year. I guess that's why they are considered such a delicacy- a spot that produced hundreds one year can turn up totally dry the next....
We found the most morels under and near some apple trees and back in the woods around some wild cherries. Kenny thinks that the rotting fruit that's fallen to the ground creates good conditions for the morels. But it's just so hard to say for sure....
Though we didn't find too many, it's just enough for a yummy sauteed mushroom and free-range egg brunch for Mother's Day. It'll be a nice treat for my mom, who's never had them before. Maybe Alex's mom will read this and be enticed to come up for a visit, too! :)
Now I'm off to clean and soak my morels in salt water until Sunday. Ricky says I have to slice them in half, rinse 'em off real well, and let them soak in the salt water (to kill any bugs, bacteria, etc.) til we're ready to eat them. Can't wait!
Yum! Those are the best! My friend just brought me some sea sponges from St. Marten, and they look like morels. :)
Posted by: Laurie Richter | May 29, 2009 at 07:02 PM