View Full Version : Spring Morels anyone?
Anyone having luck with Yellow Morels this season? I'm in North Central WV, just below the PA border. So far, have not found a single one. Season's running a little late, so I've been told, and the Yellows should have been poppin' up by now. We had some recent cold weather that may have kept them down.
Found a couple Half-free Morels but don't care for them and don't pick them since they look like Verpas and I don't really like to get sick.
I keep seeing online pics from guys in the Midwest stuffing 50 pound Potato sacks full to the top!
Can someone here help a brother out?
habe.
idsubgun
May 04, 2005, 22:44
Not to hijack your thread but.... I'm not a mushroom picker and I've got a question about Morels.
I bought some a while back because you are always hearing about them. I fried them up in butter, like I do "regular" mushrooms. Now, I know there are many other ways to cook mushrooms but all I've ever done is fried & butter.
Well, I wasn't too impressed with Morels that way...................
And I would like to try them again, but I am wondering how everybody cooks their Morels? What recipes?
Cummins_4x4
May 05, 2005, 00:56
idyou need to use cracker crumbs as a coating.Either ritz or regular crackers.Then fry till golden brown you'll know why there is such a demand for them. About time for my trek north for morels.
idsubgun
May 05, 2005, 01:03
Originally posted by Cummins_4x4
idyou need to use cracker crumbs as a coating.Either ritz or regular crackers.Then fry till golden brown you'll know why there is such a demand for them. About time for my trek north for morels.
So, do you slice them?
Do you dip in milk or egg before the crumbs?
Are you using butter?
Slice in 1/2 unless really large then in 3/4" slices, soak 1/2 hours in salt water to chase off the little critters that live in em. Roll in flour and brown in butter.
Ready to eat at this point. I like to mix them with eggs and scramble for breakfast.
Edited to add: None yet in central Ohio either. Calling for 70 degree weather this weekend. One can only hope.
thunderchicken
May 05, 2005, 10:20
I'm trying to culture them in the backyard this year. If it works, picking morels in ones own yard will rival the homegrown tomato for perfect DIY culinary experience.
Originally posted by thunderchicken
I'm trying to culture them in the backyard this year. If it works, picking morels in ones own yard will rival the homegrown tomato for perfect DIY culinary experience.
Did you buy the spore? We have had some luck with cleaning them in a pan of fresh water (before salt water soak) and then dumping the water in a likely spot.
bowser
May 05, 2005, 10:55
usually get a descent crop in the yard, lilacs are starting to bloom and have heard the wives'tale or whatever you wanna call it, that when lilacs start, morels should be too. looked a couple nights ago and nothin yet, but we'll see what the weekend brings.
thunderchicken
May 05, 2005, 13:17
Originally posted by ONG
Did you buy the spore? We have had some luck with cleaning them in a pan of fresh water (before salt water soak) and then dumping the water in a likely spot.
I bought the mycelieum innoculated wood chips; amended the soil with wood ash and gypsum per instructions and "planted" them in a likely spot. I'm pretty envious that you could get some with the bath water method. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Cummins_4x4
May 05, 2005, 13:18
Yep ID slice them long ways. Then dip in milk and egg then cracker crumbs. Be careful, they are really rich. And addictive. If you just have a small amout use Ritz or Club crackers as a coating. Great stuff!
Originally posted by thunderchicken
I bought the mycelieum innoculated wood chips; amended the soil with wood ash and gypsum per instructions and "planted" them in a likely spot. I'm pretty envious that you could get some with the bath water method. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Yea that doesn't always work. Way we found it was Mom would dump the water in her flower bed, in town. No trees for 100 yards but Yellow Sponge grew in her flower bed the next year.
1.) Find 'em ( the really tough part ).
2.) Pick 'em.
3.) Give them a good salt water bath soak to kill bugs.
4.) Slice 'em up, as said above, roll 'em in flour and saute' in butter. Also very good fried up in eggs and other dishes.
5.) Dehydrate what you don't eat. They dehydrate very well for later use.
Never tried the fresh water bath trick. There is an article in the Mother Earth News 2002 April/May issue by a guy I think they call the Morel King. He says that of the thousand(s) of people that he has talked to that have tried the commercial growing kits, very few if any have ever had any success.
That being said, I still plan on giving the one of the commercial "kits" a try. ONG, if you have any success, please let me know. I'll do the same. Ong, who did you get your kit from?
Here is a link that describes the technique of the first guy, mycologist Gary Mills, to successfully grow morels under controlled conditions. Doesn't look easy.
http://www.mushroompeople.com/morel.htm
The above site also sells Morel kits.
habe
By the way, in lieu of Morels, I'm marinating some Portobellos right now for dinner tonight. Finding them was very easy. Giant Eagle, produce section. Didn't get dirty and no Ticks.
habe.
habe, that was da Thunder Chicken that sewed the spoors:wink:
Ahhhh crap, right you are ONG. It helps if you really take the time to read what ur' readin.
Sorry.
Thunderchicken, where did you get your starter kit?
habe.
thunderchicken
May 05, 2005, 17:19
I got mine from:
http://www.fungiperfecti.com/
I've had good luck with their plug spawn for shitakes, but I understand morels are orders of magnitude more finicky.
StraightShooter
May 05, 2005, 17:26
My coworker has a few secret spots out in the country where they have been picking the morels. There has not been as many as last year (I think he said they picked around 30 pounds of them last year) but he has supplied me with enough to go with 3 steak dinners this year. I live in SE Nebraska.
Lucky folks. I guess they don't grow in my part of the country. Too bad. We do have all types of mushrooms growing, including that derned hippy variety that grows around cow flop.
John Randolph
May 05, 2005, 22:47
I've been looking, nothing yet here, I'm just north of WV in da burgh.
If anyone would like it, I have a wonderful recipe for Steak au Poivre with Morels "a la Bordelle".
We do have all types of mushrooms growing, including that derned hippy variety that grows around cow flop.
Hook a brother up? :tongue: ;)
I'm totally kidding...well mostly. ;)
John, I'm originally from the 'burgh. My father is still mayor of one of the towns ( Coraopolis ) down river from the city. What side of town are you on/from?
I still get back quite often and miss it very much.
habe.
John Randolph
May 06, 2005, 14:48
I'm actually in Swissvale, just outside the city across from the River from the old Homestead mill.
My wifes whole family is from that side of 'da burgh. Monroeville area. Head on over to Chiodo's Tavern, have a beer and a Mystery Sammich. Lucky guy. Will be in your neck o' the woods at the Waterfront Mall next Saturday.
habe.
owlcreekok
May 06, 2005, 23:56
including that derned hippy variety that grows around cow flop.
:biggrin:
Ahhh Memories.
Try to overlook Jeff,,,all that is behind me now. But,,,,,,,,,, never mind! :angel:
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