Morel Mushrooms

sageadvice · May 31, 2011

In this part of the country anyway, we're having a really good year for finding these tasty morsels. I've been seeing and picking them by just driving down the road. Everybody who wants them is finding plenty. Good stuff!

nice looking bunch...

some blonds. we get these too!

Not the prettiest bunch but will cook up fine!

Getting yours? Has anyone heard what the going rate is that buyers are willing to pay?

Joey

tageater · May 31, 2011

Someone on this list would be able to tell ya what they are going for...or at least what they are willing to pay.

http://www.matsiman.com/bypiccontact/buyer_contacts.htm

http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/User_files/48696fc97cd60c01.jpg

Paul_Crawford · Jun 2, 2011

They look like aliens. Do they have them in my area? pc

larrbo · Jun 2, 2011

On the advise of Sage we picked a bunch of them last weekend and they were really good.

tageater · Jun 3, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Jun-03-11 AT 10:32PM (MST)[p]I picked these yesterday, can't wait to throw them in with the BBQ this weekend!

sageadvice · Jun 3, 2011

What are they Tag?

I only know a few kinds...but i know them well. I think it's best that way...

Joey

tageater · Jun 3, 2011

Not sure....found them on a big patty.
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/User_files/48696fc97cd60c01.jpg

Paul_Crawford · Jun 4, 2011

You guys are scarin' me!!

tageater · Jun 4, 2011

I didn't mean to distract from the original post, as morels are really quite good, but it was just too tempting...and that pic(that I posted) is just one I grabbed off of google...

http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/User_files/48696fc97cd60c01.jpg

sageadvice · Jun 4, 2011

OK, now i got you!

Yes, those too grow around here, some from cow pies i'm told, yet i have not picked any.

Paul, The trick is stick with what you know!! i grew up picking a wild mushroom that looks a lot like the big ones, portabela, that you can now buy in most every grocery store. Lots of times i'd gather up them while taking long walks checking out the ponds for mallards. Me, my shotgun full of 6's, and a 5 gallon bucket could be gone for hours and hours. Often there were no ducks to be had, did i say i shot a decoy once on one of these walks, but i usually brought home a bucket full of mushrooms, all of the same kind.

After i cleaned them, my Grandmother would cook up a big batch in butter on the wood stove, serve half sandwiches of them on single cupped slices of her toasted homemade bread. You wanna talk about something good on a cold early winter day now! Just thinking about them sandwiches has my mouth watering.

Joey

eelgrass · Jun 5, 2011

Very interesting. Good for you Joey and larrbo. I've never hunted them or eaten them. I've heard they do grow under Tan Oaks, east of here, but not sure.

Do the "Blonds" have a different taste from the others? I know they have more fun.

Eel

huntindad4 · Jun 6, 2011

I have a question. I have been told mosst types of Mushrooms have a similar but non-edible cousin, is that the case with Morels or does anything that looks like a Morel eat well and not poison you?

Bill

Look out Forkie, FTW is watching us!

sageadvice · Jun 6, 2011

Eel asked, "Do the "Blonds" have a different taste from the others?"

Eel, the book says that the darker ones taste better or have more flavor but i enjoy the blondes too. Most of the blonds that i've had were pretty buggers and of stockier frame on average. I think once you get them cleaned up, they all taste good.

Huntindad, Yes, a guy should look into False Morels before he goes out and picks or after he brings them home but for sure before he cooks them up. Good link

http://www.morelmushroom.info/Danger_of_False_Morels.html

my General rules about morels;
1) if it doesn't look exactly like what i'm used to seeing, trash it.
2) the cap needs to be attached to the stem all the way down
3) Good Morels are completely hollow inside, all the way up. Split them to see this and to help clean them of little bugs by a brief soak in water.

False morel. notice that the cap is only attached at the top, not attached all the way down.

Joey

BuckSnort · Jun 6, 2011

Never,ever eat the ziplock variety of mushrooms... These usually show up at certain party's...Just say no!...lol

Disclaimer:
The poster does not take any responsibility for any hurt or bad feelings. Reading threads poses inherent risks. The poster would like to remind readers to make sure they have a functional sense of humor before they visit any discussion board.

huntindad4 · Jun 7, 2011

Thanks for the info and link Sage I can't wait to go out and poke around for some of the real deal!

Bill

Look out Forkie, FTW is watching us!

Califelkslayer · Jun 8, 2011

Sage, The last 2 years when I cut wood in the Moonlight burn, I see vehicles with Oregon plates out walking in the woods, usually carrying what I thought was a pillowcase or a bucket. Last year I thought WTF??

Last Friday I saw 3 rigs with Ore plates and when i came off of the grade I saw a refrigarated truck parked at the bottom and 2 more cars with Ore plates parked next to it. They had grey plastic bins like the butcher shop gives me my ground meat in. I figured they were buying mushrooms. Think I' right??

And how much money is in mushrooms anyways???

sageadvice · Jun 8, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Jun-09-11 AT 00:06AM (MST)[p]Slayer, no doubt you are seeing Morel pickers! They like and grow very well where there were recent fires. There used to be a truck parked here in Chester that they would buy guys/your morels. I have never sold them though one time i picked about 40 pounds in a hour or so. I gave most of them away to friends and i dried some for later. That particular day, big perfect morels were sticking up everywhere as far as i could see!!

Some sell by the oz, they are at least $15. a pound fresh, $140. a pound dried. Check out this e-bay link highest price first...

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_kw=mor...lstpos=96020&_sc=1&_sop=16&_stpos=96020&gbr=1

Some guys might take a little less, some guys i know fer fact get more. On some years, probably like this one, there is great $$$ and many interesting folks on "the mushroom trail"

This is my very busiest time of year and my phone is ringing off the hook for my services these past few weeks otherwise you can know that i'd be right out there with them!

Joey

BuckSnort · Jun 8, 2011

Kinda off topic but I was watching a cooking show a few months back and they had this side bit about Truffles... Anyway they have certain breeds of dogs in Europe that sniff these things out from underground.. This guy that was on the show paid over 30 grand for this special dog!..I guess he makes good money selling Truffles...

I have also heard that some folks use pigs to sniff them out also..

Disclaimer:
The poster does not take any responsibility for any hurt or bad feelings. Reading threads poses inherent risks. The poster would like to remind readers to make sure they have a functional sense of humor before they visit any discussion board.