Morel mushrooms?
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GVS what county are you looking in?
FYI some have already come up in Hunterdon.
FYI some have already come up in Hunterdon.
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I usually find a handful each year, but am intimitated to eat them.
I heard there is a mushroom that looks like a morel, but is actually poisonous. Is there any truth to that, or are all the morels safe to eat around here?
I heard there is a mushroom that looks like a morel, but is actually poisonous. Is there any truth to that, or are all the morels safe to eat around here?
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Are these good mushrooms[ninja]
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Hey Gvs, where is a good place to look for morels? I always wanted to get into it, but my woods do not seem like they host that species. I've heard that they grow in old orchards, any particular conditions i should look for? I'm pretty good at finding other mushrooms specificly "Hen of the woods". Here are a few pics.
Last years total was close to 600lbs.
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Just the one that I'm holding was 30 plus pounds.
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Last years total was close to 600lbs.
Just the one that I'm holding was 30 plus pounds.
There are books available but the best way is to go with someone who knows.
When should I start looking and where?
Great question. Narrow down your region's season for starters. Once you have determined that "yes" they are out there then the adventure begins. Many seasoned hunters have their favorite areas. Dead or dying elms, old apple orchards, old ash, poplar trees and yes even pines. It truly can be a hit and miss adventure at times. Not every elm you cross will have morels around it so don't get discouraged. Depending on your region, you may have to look harder than others.The Morelmasters have a great page on their site that is really helpful for beginners. Keep in mind the tips and suggestions from this link are coming from southern Wisconsin morel hunters where the morels are plentiful. But still they offer some great pictures and concepts. Often times morel hunters have a particular type of wooded growth that attracts them and this comes with experience and lots of trial and error....and luck!
When should I start looking and where?
Great question. Narrow down your region's season for starters. Once you have determined that "yes" they are out there then the adventure begins. Many seasoned hunters have their favorite areas. Dead or dying elms, old apple orchards, old ash, poplar trees and yes even pines. It truly can be a hit and miss adventure at times. Not every elm you cross will have morels around it so don't get discouraged. Depending on your region, you may have to look harder than others.The Morelmasters have a great page on their site that is really helpful for beginners. Keep in mind the tips and suggestions from this link are coming from southern Wisconsin morel hunters where the morels are plentiful. But still they offer some great pictures and concepts. Often times morel hunters have a particular type of wooded growth that attracts them and this comes with experience and lots of trial and error....and luck!
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Thanks GVS. I can find the real morels here and there. I just never took the risk. If you dont know EXACTLY what you are eating with Wild Mushrooms, better to just leave them. At least thats what I was always told.
Never had morels before? They are often compared to the finest cut of beef. The intense taste is like that of no other mushroom. How do they taste? Most people say either "wonderful" or "awesome". The one of a kind flavor is craved by those who have ate them in the past. If you are looking for a gourmet mushroom with exquisite flavor, morel mushrooms are the answer!
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First things first, identification.
The morel - Morchella - is hollow, i.e. if you slice it down the middle lengthwise you will see that it is completely hollow (cap and stipe).
The false morel - Gyromitra - is *not* hollow in this way.
Also, once you have 'calibrated' your eyes by seeing both of them in the woods you (unless you have major visuo-perceptual issues) will never mistake the one for the other.
Secondly, where to look - in my experience, they may be found in old orchards but most commonly around and under ash and tulip poplars (there have to be some seriously sized ones about - I have never found them where there aren't >18" diameter poplars around. I also look for may apples because generally these have to be 12-18" high before I start seeing morels. The best thing about the woods is that it is often easier to see them against the leaf mould than it is in the long grass (old orchards).
I have (so far) found them in Middlesex, Mercer, Hunterdon and Sussex counties - and they are so good than I continue to search for more spots. They can be unpredictable in that one spot will have next to none one year and then tons the next so a variety of spots is always a good hedge against disappointment.
The NJ Mycological Association (yes, I am indeed geeky enough to be a member of it) actually has a foray into the Princeton waterworks (adjacent to the Institute for Advanced Studies) and there will plenty of opportunity for folks that want to see them positely identified before taking the plunge to do so. It is a fun thing to do with kids - just remember to spray up against ticks. They will be meeting at 10pm tomorrow...
The morel - Morchella - is hollow, i.e. if you slice it down the middle lengthwise you will see that it is completely hollow (cap and stipe).
The false morel - Gyromitra - is *not* hollow in this way.
Also, once you have 'calibrated' your eyes by seeing both of them in the woods you (unless you have major visuo-perceptual issues) will never mistake the one for the other.
Secondly, where to look - in my experience, they may be found in old orchards but most commonly around and under ash and tulip poplars (there have to be some seriously sized ones about - I have never found them where there aren't >18" diameter poplars around. I also look for may apples because generally these have to be 12-18" high before I start seeing morels. The best thing about the woods is that it is often easier to see them against the leaf mould than it is in the long grass (old orchards).
I have (so far) found them in Middlesex, Mercer, Hunterdon and Sussex counties - and they are so good than I continue to search for more spots. They can be unpredictable in that one spot will have next to none one year and then tons the next so a variety of spots is always a good hedge against disappointment.
The NJ Mycological Association (yes, I am indeed geeky enough to be a member of it) actually has a foray into the Princeton waterworks (adjacent to the Institute for Advanced Studies) and there will plenty of opportunity for folks that want to see them positely identified before taking the plunge to do so. It is a fun thing to do with kids - just remember to spray up against ticks. They will be meeting at 10pm tomorrow...
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Also, I check this page every year to have a good idea of when to start checking my spots - you can see the line advancing northwards with the Spring...
http://thegreatmorel.com/sightings.html
http://thegreatmorel.com/sightings.html
Where do you live?
Clean them, slice them length wise, dip them in milk or milk and egg, coat them with flower or flower and some italian bread crumbs and fry them until golden brown in Olive oil or olive oil and butter...
they are awesome.
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