I Spy?
When I was younger my mom would buy us crazy seek and find books like I Spy and Where’s Waldo. I did not like them then. I do not like them now. I am horrible at seeing “beyond” the picture and finding a thimble, tiny horse or guy dressed in red stripes! Now, in my later years, I have a similar problem. It is Morel Mushroom season. The woods in my area are abuzz with people, noses to the ground, hunting the infamous sponge mushroom. Of course, I attempt to hunt mushrooms- more than I ever attempted Where’s Waldo. The difference here is that there is food at the end of this game! Not just any food, the best, most coveted springtime treat!
Let’s play a game of I Spy, shall we?
Now, look a bit closer… there it is! A perfect, fresh yellow morel!
This time of year you can find a few types of sponge mushrooms, like this gray colored one. I find these rather hard to hunt, because they blend very well into the background.
There are so many theories on where one can hunt for morel mushrooms, so many that I can’t begin to tell you. If you are eager to play a little I Spy for yourself, google Morels, or ask an old timer where to find them in your area. Many people have “secret spots” to find mushrooms… so don’t expect to get a treasure map!
These little beauties are very easy to prepare when you have collected enough to eat. First, split them in half length wise. Soak them in salted water in the fridge over night. This helps to rid them of any little bugs and dirt particles. I am sure there are fancy ways to prepare morels. Around these parts, however, there is only one way. Fried. In butter. Period. Simply dip them in seasoned flour and fry them until they are crispy. If you want to get adventurous with your finds, that works too. Just don’t bring any to my house! We like ‘em Fried!
~ SD
Tags: morel mushrooms
May 21st, 2009 at 4:28 pm
yummy! Yummy! I found a few of these mushrooms in the woods a few weeks ago!
GartenGrl at Planning Plants to Plant
June 18th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Ok - but beef terderloin with red wine and morel sauce - think delicious…also, chicken/cream/morels= yummy. I know you people can hunt and pick and flaunt your morels, but some people aren’t so lucky and find it hard to look at the $168 a lb. dried morels cost at our local markets lol…I can’t even imagine just frying them up - for us their a special treat!
July 16th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Peanut, I’m a little slow on reading your blog about mushrooms. Tiffany added your site to my facebook. Decided to check it out. Loved the I spy - Waldo rendition you wrote about hunting Morels. Thanks for letting me hunt with you this past season. Loved it!!!