Mushrooms, and other forest edibles

[Optimistic]

Anybody on here into mycology or foraging? In the past year or so I've been slowly expanding my (super short) list of edibles that I can identify in the woods. Last week I discovered a spot on an isolated trail near my place that has chanterelle mushrooms. After a couple days of rain, I went back and found more, and then this morning found a whole other area with a bunch of them. With another stormy and humid week ahead, I'm anticipating a LOT of chanterelles in my future.

I was reading a little about them last night, and realized I was probably venturing into a new hobby. Identifying, preserving, cooking. . .maybe one day selling them

Anybody else get into this stuff? Or have a good book recommendation? There are so many out there.

[Mik]

I find the idea of foraging fascinating. I just posted a HUGE (12" diameter) Hen of the Woods the other day. I did not eat it, but probably should have (see below)

When you are harvesting remember to cut them off just a little above the ground so that the spores remain. You may have already seen this.

https://www.tyrantfarms.com/complete-guide-how-to-forage-and-use-chanterelle-mushrooms/

[Aqua Letifer]

Nothing to add except to say that you're seriously upping your zomdef street cred. Gonna be really handy knowledge after the Collapse.

[mark]

My youngest is our forager. She is finding berries, wild onions, morels, etc. We have wild onions growing at the base a large oak tree in our front yard.

[Optimistic]

@Mik That's awesome! Yes, this website was the one I was reading last night. They had some great, easy-for-beginners advice--like, gather what you collect in a basket so that the spores can spread while you walk around.

They posted about chicken of the woods, too, and said they served some breaded cutlets to their friends to see if they could tell the difference between it and actual chicken, and they could not.

[Optimistic]

@Aqua-Letifer YES! That and my good sense of direction, even in the woods, will hopefully help me get past the vegetarian liability.

[Optimistic]

@mark A good person to have around!

[89th]

This reminds me of a good show I watch. It’s called Alone on the History Channel. Contestants (normally survival guides, etc) see how long they can last in the wilderness with minimal tools, usually focused on building a shelter and capturing food. Some of them display some pretty cool foraging knowledge and techniques.