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FORAGER | CHEF

Award-winning chef, author and forager Alan Bergo. Food is all around you.

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35 Essential Wild Mushrooms Every Forager Should Know

There’s a lot of wild mushrooms out there to discover. Some are better than others. To help you sort through them, I’ve collected a list of my all-time favorite wild mushrooms I think every forager should know. Most of them are very easy to identify and cook. If you think I missed one, please leave a comment and let me know. 

Hen of the Woods 

Hen of the woods, maitake, or Grifola frondosa mushrooms close up

The hen of the woods also known as maitake mushrooms or Grifola frondosa are the king of fall mushrooms. These are typically parasites of oak trees growing in late august through october, and can grow to be 50 pounds or more, although younger mushrooms are always more tender and delicious than older ones. The price of hen of the woods is usually about $10-15 per pound. 

Grilled hen of the woods or maitake steaks

Hen steaks on the grill.

They have a mild, pleasant mushroom taste, but the best part about them is their size. Since the mushrooms are so large they can be cut into steaks and cooked as a mushroom meat substitute.  See more on them in my guide post on hen of the woods. 

Chicken of the Woods 

White pored chicken of the woods Laetiporus cincinnatus

A perfect young chicken.

Chicken of the woods mushrooms (Laetiporus) are a cousin to hen of the woods and also grow on oak trees where I live. Like their name implies, they have a taste and texture that might remind you of chicken. These can be very good mushrooms, but it’s best to get them young as older mushrooms may have bugs inside them or have a woody texture. They’re more expensive than hens, and the price of chicken of the woods is usually $15-20 per pound. 

Chicken Fried Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms

Chicken fried chicken of the woods.

Their taste is a combination of mushroom, and sometimes a hint of lemon or orange in young mushrooms. They’re fantastic fried, cut into pieces and put in soup or used in casseroles. One of my all time favorite wild mushroom recipes is chicken of the woods with pasta and lemon cream. See more on these in my guide post on chicken of the woods. 

Common Morels 

Common morels from Minnesota

Common morels.

One of the most famous and delicious mushrooms in the world, common morels (Morchella americana) are the large blondes and greys hunted in the Eastern United States. They’re not often sold in stores, and the price of fresh morels is $45-60 during the season.

Fried morel mushrooms in a pan

Fried morels are a classic.

These are one of the most versatile and valuable mushrooms to hunt, with lots of tasty things you can make. One of my favorite recipes is from my Grandmother, who used to make fried morels. See more on common morels in my guide post on them. 

Black Morels 

Black morel mushrooms or Morchella septentrionalis in an aspen standBlack morels are a different group of mushrooms related to common morels (Morchella conica and others), and are harvested in large quantities after forest fires, floods, logging and storms.

They look different from their cousins too, with a slightly pointed cap, and black coloring on the ridges of the cap. These are sold in large quantities to chefs and restaurants, so if you buy morels in a store it’s probably them.

They can be cooked anyway you would enjoy other morels. The price of black morels is usually about $25-40, which is can be half of what common morels go for. See more on them in my post on black morels. 

Golden Chanterelles 

Chanterelle mushrooms or Cantharellus phasmatis in the woods

Chanterelles are a vision of summer.

Golden chanterelles (various species of Cantharellus) are one of the top edible wild mushrooms in the world foragers look for, prized for their fruity apricot aroma and firm texture. There are many different species of golden chanterelle, with new ones being named regularly with genetic sequencing. All golden chanterelles are edible, and delicious.

Pickled chanterelle mushrooms in a jar surrounded by fresh chanterelles.

Golden chanterelles make wonderful pickles.

Depending on the species and time of year (they’re available from late June to august where I live) I can usually find large amounts of them. Their one of the best wild mushrooms for sauteing, and make great pickles as well as mushroom duxelles. The price of chanterelles can range from $40 per pound for young mushrooms, to $15-20 per pound for larger ones. See more on them in my guide post on chanterelles. 

Red Chanterelles 

red chanterelle mushrooms

Red chanterelles (Cantharellus cinnabarinus) are a cousin to golden chanterelles and often grow in the same habitat at the same time. They may be smaller than some golden chanterelles, but they have a similar texture and delicate fruity smell.

Buckwheat crusted sole with red chanterelle pan sauce and carrot ribbons. carrot ribbon,

Red chanterelles add a pop of color to a dish, as well as a great mushroom flavor.

You can use them in any of your favorite chanterelle recipes. I try to leave them whole when I cook them. See more on them in my guide post on red chanterelles. 

Black Trumpets

Black trumpet mushrooms (Craterellus fallax) in a forest

Another cousin to golden chanterelles, Black trumpet mushrooms (Craterellus fallax and others) are one of the most famous edible wild mushrooms in the world. They often grow in similar places to golden chanterelles and can be found next to each other.

They’re lighter and more delicate than golden chanterelles and have a similar fruity smell with a hint of dark, very ripe fruit. The price of black trumpets can range from $20-30 per pound, and they’re sold by wholesalers to chefs during their season. 

Candied black trumpet mushrooms recipe (5)

Candied black trumpets.

They’re loved in Europe, where they’re known as the or trompetta de morte in Italian (the horn of death). You can use them in your favorite recipes, but using too many can make a dish bitter. Cream sauce and soup, as well as a simple sauté are great places to use them. With their sweet aroma, they can even be used in desserts or candied. See more on them in my guide post on black trumpet mushrooms. 

Yellowfoot Chanterelles

Yellowfoot chanterelles

Yellowfoot chanterelles are great here.

Yellowfoot chanterelles (Craterellus tubaeformis and others) are a smaller, lighter cousin to chanterelles. As the stem is hollow, they’re a bit like a black trumpet crossed with a chanterelle without the deep ripe fruit aroma. They have a rich mushroom taste and are enjoyed around the world, especially in Scandinavia. 

Lefse with yellowfoot chanterelles sauerkraut and swedish cheese(16)

A strangely delicious mushroom and sauerkraut burrito.

Since they’re lightweight, they dry very well and are good added to soups and sauces, but are also good sauteed. My favorite recipe is inspired by a food truck in Sweden and mixed sauteed yellowfoot mushrooms with sauerkraut and cheese into lefse like a cheesy mushroom burrito. See more on them in my guide post on yellowfeet. 

Hedgehog Mushrooms 

Hedgehog mushrooms or Hydnum repandum

Hydnum repandum from Minnesota.

A cousin to chanterelles that don’t get the attention they deserve, hedgehog mushrooms (Hydnum repandum and many others) have the same firm texture as golden chanterelles, but with a more meaty taste. They grow in the same places as chanterelles, and are often found together. With their savory taste, they’re one of my favorite wild mushrooms for steak and side dishes. Small mushrooms are also great in soup. 

Hedgehog mushroom soup with foraged greens, beans and tomatoes

Hedgehog mushrooms are great in soup.

There’s a few different species too. My favorite is the giant hedgehog, or (Hydnum albomagnum) that’s so big it can be grilled like a piece of meat. The price of hedgehog mushrooms is usually less than golden chanterelles, and can range from $15-20 per pound. See more on them in my guide post on hedgehogs. 

Beefsteak Mushrooms 

Beefsteak polypore or Fistulina hepatica on an oak tree

Beefsteak mushrooms (Fistulina hepatica) are a cousin to hen and chicken of the woods, and a parasite of oak trees where I live. Unlike the majority of wild mushrooms, these are best eaten raw, and have a very slight sour note to them. 

Beefsteak mushroom salad with olive oil and wood sorrel recipe

Marinated beefsteak mushrooms with sorrel.

They’re great seasoned with salt, oil and herbs and eaten as a side dish, or cut into slices and eaten with beef carpaccio. See more on them in my guide post on beefsteak mushrooms. 

Blewits 

blewit mushroom clitocybe nuda wood blewit

Blewits are beautiful lilac-purple colored mushrooms. 

Also known as the wood blewit (Clitocybe nuda) these are one of the best fall mushrooms to forage and come out when the weather is cool, typically october where I live. There’s also the field blewit (Lepista personata) that is often sold commercially. They love to grow in wood chips and piles of leaves or pine needles so they’re also a good candidate for growing in your backyard. 

Arugula, Blewit Mushroom, and Heirloom Bean Salad

Blewits keep a firm texture and are good cooked whole when young.

They have a dense, meaty texture and a fruity, floral aroma that some people compare to lilacs or frozen orange juice. You can use them in many different recipes, but identifying them can be confusing at first. I explain in detail how to identify them correctly in my guide post on Blewits. 

King Bolete / Porcini 

Oregon porcini

King boletes (Boletus edulis and others) are a group of many different mushrooms that might be called porcini, although Italian porcini are very different from those that grow in the United States. 

Italian style Raw porcini mushroom and watercress salad

A salad of raw porcini with parmesan, watercress and chickweed is a fun play on an Italian classic.

Young and perfect these are one of the best mushrooms in the world. They’re prone to having bugs, especially as they get older, so I typically dry or dehydrate most of mine. They’ll add elegance to just about any recipe you have, but it’s best to keep things simple. They can also be eaten raw, like they do in Italy. Learn more about hunting and cooking them in my guide post on king bolete / porcini. 

Fairy Ring 

Fairy Ring Mousseron Mushrooms

Fairy rings from Minnesota.

Known in French as the mousseron, fairy ring mushrooms (Marasmius oreades) are a common yard mushroom. They can take a little time to get comfortable with, but they’re delicious and have been enjoyed in Europe for a long time. They’re small, but they make up for it with a delicious mushroom flavor. They also dehydrate very well.

Angel hair pasta with fairy ring mushrooms and garlic chives

Fairy rings are great in pasta and soup.

These are great in soups and sauces, as well as in a simple bowl of pasta. See more on them, with tips for identifying them correctly in my guide post on fairy rings. 

Golden Oyster Mushrooms 

Golden Oyster Mushrooms or Pleurotus citrinopileatus

Golden oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) aren’t native to North America, but they’re making themselves at home after they escaped a mushroom lab in the Midwest. They’re commonly found on dead elm trees in the spring. Sometimes I see them on cherry.

Wild golden oyster mushroom steaks in a pan

Oyster mushroom steaks.

Unlike regular, native oyster mushrooms, these grow in incredible quantity, but are also prone to having bugs in them as they get older. One of the best things you can do with them is cooking whole clusters as wild mushroom “steaks”. 

Common Oyster Mushrooms 

Aspen oyster mushrooms or Pluerotus populina growing on a tree

Wild oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus and others) are very similar to the oyster mushrooms you’ll see in a store. They’re common in the spring where I live, and my favorite species are aspen oysters (Pleurotus populinus) that grow on dying aspen trees.

Baked crispy wild oyster mushrooms recipe

Baked oyster mushroom “croutons”.

They have a noticeable anise or licorice smell that makes them easy to identify. You can use them in recipes for just about any mushroom, and they have a good, meaty texture and mild taste. Baked oyster mushroom “croutons” are one of my favorite recipes. 

Pheasant Backs 

Pheasant back or dryad saddle mushrooms (Cerioporus squamosus) on a box elder tree

Pheasant backs, or dryad saddle mushrooms (Cerioporus squamosus) are one of the first mushrooms to come up in the spring. I often call them a “concellation prize” as I will harvest them if I can’t find morels.

White wine pheasant back or dryad saddle mushrooms recipe with garlic and herbs

White wine pheasant backs are a crowd favorite.

They can be a great mushroom, and have a unique aroma of cucumber or melon rind that mellows after cooking. A favorite reader recipe is my simple white wine pheasant backs. These are easy to find, but you need to know how to tell a tender one from a tough one. I explain in detail how to make the most out of them by shaving them on a mandoline slicer in my guide post on pheasant backs. 

Shrimp of the Woods 

Cutting shrimp of the woods or aborted entoloma mushrooms for cooking

Shrimp of the woods, cleaned and ready to cook. 

The shrimp of the woods or aborted entoloma (Entoloma abortivum) are a common mushroom of the Eastern United states. They’re essentially a mushroom that gets deformed from an interaction with honey mushrooms. The exact relationship and cause of the deformation isn’t exactly clear. Either way, they’re easy to identify and have a mild, pleasant taste.

Oven fried shrimp of the woods mushroom recipe

They can also be harvested in large quantities during their season in the fall. They don’t have a rich taste like chanterelles and some others, so they need some special treatment. Baked crisp with old bay and lemon is one of my favorites. I explain how to get the best out of them in my guide post on shrimp of the woods. 

Matsutake 

Minnesota Matsutake Mushrooms

Matsutake are one of the most unique and prized mushrooms in the world. They’re without a doubt the most well-known mushroom in traditional Japanese cuisine. They have a flavor like no other mushroom, and the aroma and taste have been compared to red hots and dirty socks, or the aroma of pine soil.

Where I live these are very difficult to hunt, but they can be found occasionally in red pine stands in the fall in Northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan.

Matsutake mushroom miso soup recipe

The best miso soup you’ve ever had is made with matsutake.

They’re harvested commercially in the Pacific Northwest, and matsutake prices range from $20-40 per pound depending on the grade or age. Traditional Japanese recipes for matsutake are my favorite. Unlike other mushrooms, they don’t like butter, cream or dairy. See more on them in my guide post on Matsutake. 

Coral Mushrooms 

Ramaria botrytis or pink tipped edible coral mushrooms

Ramaria botrytis is a delicious, pink-colored coral mushroom.

Coral mushrooms (Ramaria) are a fall and late summer mushroom where I live. There are many species, and some of them can make people sick if not prepared correctly. Even so, these are harvested and sold in South America and many people eat them. The only true coral mushrooms I eat are Ramaria botrytis. 

Vietnamese style noodle soup with coral mushrooms, chicken and rue ram

Coral mushrooms are great in broth.

They have a great meaty texture and mild flavor, and can be found in large quantities during their season in the right place. You can cook them in just about any recipe, but they must be cooked thoroughly. Learn more about coral mushrooms in general in my post on eating ramaria or coral mushrooms. 

Cauliflower Mushrooms 

wild cauliflower mushrooms or sparassis crispa

Cauliflower mushrooms have a unique shape and texture.

Cauliflower mushrooms (Sparassis crispa and others) are polypores like hen and chicken of the woods. They have a delicate structure, and after cooking their texture that might remind you of noodles. Most of them grow with conifers in the Pacific Northwest, during the fall but there are other varieties in the Eastern United States too. 

These are delicious mushrooms anyone will like, with a mild, mellow mushroom flavor. Simple preparations are good with them. One of my favorites is mixing them with farfalle noodles with the mushrooms cut into a similar shape.

Cooking cauliflower mushrooms

Cauliflower mushroom steaks.

If you find a big one, make sure to try my method for double-cooking them to make cauliflower mushroom steaks. There’s a lot more information on them in my longer post on cauliflower mushrooms. 

 

Saffron Milk Caps 

Lactarius thyinos, an edible member of the saffrom milkcap mushroo family

Saffron milk caps are a brilliant orange.

Saffron milk caps (Lactarius deliciosus and others) are a brilliant, beautiful orange mushroom that grows around the world. They’re probably  appreciated the most in Spain where they’re known as the rovellon or niscalo. These grow in pine forests in the fall when the weather gets cool and often hide under pine needles.

Niscalos or saffron milk cap mushrooms cooked with sausage on toast

Catalan milk caps with sausage.

They’re delicious when young and free of bugs. One of the most famous recipes for saffron milk caps is niscalos a la plancha: cooked on a griddle and sprinkled with chopped garlic and parsley. My favorite recipe is a traditional Catalan dish made with mushrooms and sausage. See more on them in my guide post on saffron milkcaps. 

Indigo Milk Caps 

With their brilliant neon-blue color indigo milk caps (Lactarius indigo) are one of the most striking and easily identified wild mushrooms.

I don’t think they’re quite as good as saffron milk caps, but they make a colorful addition to mushroom dishes, especially pickles, which will keep their intense blue color.

indigo milk caps pickled and preserved in oil

Indigo milkcaps make great blue mushroom pickles.

You can also sauté them or cook as you would saffron milk caps. See more on them in my guide post on indigo milk caps. 

Quilted Green Russula 

Young and old quilted green russulas or Russula parovirescens

Quilted green russulas (Russula paro-virescens and others) are enjoyed in Europe, and are a good mushroom for the table when young and bug free. Unlike most of their cousins in the same genus, they’re easy to identify from the cracked or “quilted” look on their cap. They have a nice mild mushroom taste and can be used in any of your favorite mushroom recipes.

Russula parovirescens, the quilted green russula in the woods

I like to remove the stems and cook the caps whole, or cut into quarters. They’re great in a saute or a mix like the classic wild mushrooms with garlic and parsley. 

Puffballs 

Giant edible puffball mushrooms in a field

Giant puffball mushrooms (Calvatia gigantea and others) are a common sight in fields and woods in the Midwest where I live. They can grow to be massive in size, but should be harvested young before the bugs get to them.

Fried puffball mushroom 8

They have a pleasant, mild mushroom flavor, but some people don’t care for their soft texture. You can use puffballs in lots of different mushroom recipes, and I have a big selection of them. Classic fried puffballs and puffball mushroom parmesan are two easy crowd-favorites. See more on them in my guide post on puffball mushrooms. 

Honey Mushrooms 

Edible honey mushrooms honey fungus, or Armillaria mellea

A perfect cluster of honey mushrooms, you want them before the caps open.

Honey mushrooms are prized in Europe, especially in Eastern Europe and Russia, but they’re beginning to be popular in the United States. These are a parasite of trees (typically oaks where I live) and can cause damage in forests where they’re established.

Venison goulash or gulyas with honey mushrooms recipe

Honey mushroom gulyas is one of my favorites. These are a good soup mushroom.

These are relatively easy to identify once you get to know them, but you do need to know how to identify them to rule out Galerina marginata, which is deadly. Honey mushrooms also need thorough cooking to be safe to eat. When prepared correctly, they’re a safe, delicious mushroom. See more on them in my guide post on honey mushrooms. 

Candy Caps 

Candy Cap Mushrooms or Lactarius rubidus

Candy cap mushrooms (Lactarius rubidus and others) are unique in the fungal world as they’re the only mushroom I exclusively use in desserts. They have an intense aroma of maple syrup, and can be used to make everything from caramels to ice cream.

Candy cap mushrooms caramels recipe

Candy cap caramels should be one of the first things you make. 

They’re expensive mushrooms, and typically sell for about $15-20 per ounce. I buy mine online as they don’t grow near me. Learn more about cooking and getting the most from them in my post on candy caps.  

Chestnut Bolete 

Gyroporus castaneus chestnut bolete mushroom

Young chestnut boletes.

Chestnut boletes (Gyroporus castaneus) are a cousin to porcini mushrooms, and although they’re small, they make up for it with a rich, savory mushroom flavor. I typically see them in the summer from July to August in the Midwest, and on good years, I can pick pounds of them. Some years they’re very sparse and I don’t bother.

Pigeon with chestnut boletes, spring onions, purslane and salted gooseberries

I like chestnut boletes cooked whole.

You can use them in lots of different mushroom recipes, but I think the best thing to do with them is simply sauté them whole and use them as a garnish. They’re also good in a blend of sauteed mushrooms. Learn more about them in my post on chestnut boletes. 

Cornflower Bolete 

Gyroporus cyanescens or the cornflower bolete, an edible blue staining bolete

I used blue-staining boletes, but you could use many different mushrooms here.

Cornflower boletes (Gyroporus cyanescens) are one of the most striking and colorful wild mushrooms you can find. I see them in hardwood forests with red oak trees in the summer from July to September.

Gyroporus cyanescens or the cornflower bolete, an edible blue staining bolete

They’re related to chestnut boletes but are much larger, and stain an intense cornflower blue when cut. Since they rarely ever contain bugs, these are one of the best bolete mushrooms for foragers to know, and I gather them whenever I see them. Learn more about them in my guide post on cornflower boletes. 

Purple Laccaria 

Purple laccaria (Laccaria ochropurpurea) are a common summer mushroom in hardwood forests in Eastern North America. They’re easy to identify with their woody stem and attractive, bright, purple gills.

They don’t have the intense flavor of some more prized mushrooms, but the caps are great sauteed or used in a mix like a mushroom fricassee. See more on them in my guide post on purple laccaria. 

Shaggy Parasols 

Giant shaggy parasols Chlorophyllum rhacodes Giant shaggy parasols Chlorophyllum rhacodes outside

Shaggy parasols are an exciting fall mushroom to hunt.

Shaggy parasols (Chlorophyllum rhacodes) take some time to identify correctly, but they’re a popular wild edible around the world and a delicious wild mushroom to know. They have a rich mushroom taste similar to portobellos.

Stuffed parasol mushroom caps with wild rice

Parasol caps are great for stuffing.

In Germany and Europe they’re often made into schnitzel. I like them stuffed with wild rice. They’re delicious, and can sometimes be found in large quantities, but you need to know how to identify them and rule out their poisonous look-a-like Chlorophyllum molybdites. I explain the differences in my guide post on shaggy parasols. 

Shaggy Mane 

Shaggy mane mushrooms or coprinus comatus

Shaggy manes (Coprinus comatus) are another famous edible mushroom. These are common along trails, fields and disturbed areas. They have a delicious, mild mushroom flavor, and have even been used to make ink in the past. I prefer them crusted with parmesan cheese.

Parmesan crusted shaggy mane mushrooms cooking in a pan

 

Shaggy’s are one of the easiest mushrooms to identify, but if you’re new to them you need to know how to rule out some look a likes that can make you sick if you consume alcohol with them. See more on them in my guide post on shaggy manes. 

Beef of the Woods 

 

Ischnoderma resinosum or the resinous polypore

An ideal Ischnoderma is young and tender on the edge. 

Beef of the woods is my name for Ischnoderma resinosum, also known as the resinous polypore. These are a parasitic shelf or bracket fungus like chicken of hen of the woods, and often infect oak trees and others. I was one of the first people to present these as an edible mushroom, and I enjoy sharing them with people every year. 

Ischnoderma resinosum or wild mushroom kimchee recipe

Spicy wild mushroom kimchi with Ischnoderma.

I see them in the mid-summer from July to September in the Midwest. When young, they have a firm, tender texture, and can be used in many different mushroom recipes. They’re one of my favorite stir-fry mushrooms. Since they’re firm, they can also be fermented into wild mushroom kimchi. Learn more about them in my post on Ischnoderma resinosum. 

Lions Mane 

Edible Hericium erinaceaus mushroom

Hericium errinaceous, the true lions mane mushroom. These are commonly cultivated, but this one is wild, cuz that’s how I roll.

Lions mane mushrooms (Hericium corralloides and others) can be found on dying and decaying trees, but are also one of the more well-known “exotic” mushrooms you might find at a specialty grocer since they can be cultivated.

Lions mane or hericium mushroom crab cakes

Lions mane crab cakes are a classic.

They have a mild mushroom flavor, but the texture is my favorite. Some people compare the texture to crab meat, and one of the most tried and true recipes for them is making lions mane crab cakes. Learn more about them in my guide post on lions mane mushrooms. 

Lobster Mushrooms 

Wild edible lobster mushrooms or Hypomyces lactiflourum (2)

One of the easiest and most rewarding mushrooms to hunt, lobster mushrooms (Hypomyces lactiflourum) often grow in massive quantities from July to October where I live. Typically I see them in mixed hardwood forests of oak, maple and aspen. They have an aroma that’s slightly reminiscent of lobster or fish, but taste like a mild mushroom. 

Lobster mushroom rolls recipe

Lobster mushroom rolls.

They don’t have the intense flavor of some of the other mushrooms here, but they make up for it with their often massive size and firm texture. The mushrooms are so firm that you can grate them like a potato to make cakes or latkes. They also make a great vegetarian lobster roll.  See more on harvesting and cooking them in my guide post on lobster mushrooms. 

Huitlacoche 

An ear of cultivated or farmed Huitlacoche

Huitlacoche at my friend’s farm in Wisconsin. 

By far the most famous wild mushroom harvested in Mexico and South America, huitlacoche (Utsilago maydis) is a fungus that attacks corn, and is probably better known by most people in the United States by the name of corn smut. Corn mushrooms are common in the summer from July to August, especially on the edges of fields where corn can be damaged by deer eating the cobs.

Quesadilla de huitlacoche

Huitlacoche quesadillas are a delicious traditional recipe.

They have a rich, slightly bitter taste that can be different at first, but once you try a huitlacoche quesadilla you’ll know what all the hype is about. Some farmers in the United States are now growing these mushrooms to sell during their short season. Learn more about harvesting and cooking these in my guide post on Huitlacoche. 

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Alan Bergo
Lampascioni, or edible hyacinth bulbs are one of t Lampascioni, or edible hyacinth bulbs are one of the more interesting things I’ve eaten. 

These are an ancient wild food traditionally harvested in Southern Italy, especially in Puglia and the Salentine Peninsula, as well as Greece and Crete. I’ve seen at least 6-7 different names for them. 

A couple different species are eaten, but Leopoldia comosa is probably the one I see mentioned the most. They also grow wild in North America. 

The bulbs are toxic raw, but edible after an extended boil. Traditionally they’re preserved in vinegar and oil, pickled, or preserves in other methods using acid and served as antipasti. (Two versions in pic 3). 

They’re one of the most heavily documented traditional wild foods I’ve seen. There’s a few shots of book excerpts here.

The Oxford companion to Italian Food says you can eat them raw-don’t do that. 

Even after pickling, the bulbs are aggressively extremely bitter. Definitely an acquired taste, but one that’s grown on me. 

#traditionalfoods #vampagioli #lampascione #cucinapovera #lampascioni #leopoldiacomosa #foraging
Went to some new spots yesterday looking for poke Went to some new spots yesterday looking for poke sallet and didn’t do too well (I’m at the tip of its range). I did see some feral horseradish though which I don’t see very often. 

Just like wild parsnip, this is the exact same plant you see in the store and garden-just escaped. 

During the growing season the leaves can be good when young. 

They have an aggressive taste bitter enough to scare your loved ones. Excellent in a blend of greens cooked until extra soft, preferably with bacon or similar. 

For reference, you don’t harvest the root while the plant is growing as they’ll be soft and unappealing-do that in the spring or fall. This is essentially the same as when people tell you to harvest in months that have an R in them. 

#amoraciarusticana #foraging #horseradishleaves #horseradish #bittergreens
In Italy chicken of the woods is known as “fungo In Italy chicken of the woods is known as “fungo del carrubo” (carob tree mushroom) as it’s one of the common tree hosts there. 

My favorite, and really the only traditional recipe I’ve found for them so far is simmered in a spicy tomato sauce with hot chile and capers, served with grilled bread. 

Here I add herbs too: fresh leaves of bee balm that are perfect for harvesting right now and have a flavor similar to oregano and thyme. 

Makes a really good side dish or app, especially if you shower it with a handful of pecorino before scooping it up with the bread. 

#chickenofthewoods #fungodelcarrubo #allthemushroomtags #traditionalfoods #beebalm
First of the year 😁. White-pored chicken of t First of the year 😁. 

White-pored chicken of the woods (Laetiporus cincinnatus) are my favorite chicken. 

Superior bug resistance, slightly better flavor + texture. They also stay tender longer compared to their more common yellow-pored cousins. Not a single bug in this guy. 

#treemeat #ifoundfood #foraging #laetiporuscincinnatus #chickenofthewoods
TBT brisket face 💦. Staff meal with @jesseroes TBT brisket face 💦. Staff meal with 
@jesseroesler and crew @campwandawega
📸 @misterberndt 

#staffmeal #brisket #meatsweats #naptime
Venison that totaled my Honda. With prairie turnip Venison that totaled my Honda. With prairie turnips, @teparybeans Huun Ga’i Pima corn, dried squash and ramps. A few comfrey flowers and dill. 

#carmeat #easyweeknightmeals #timpsila #prairieturnips #wastenotwantnot
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