Anybody else here hunt the elusive morel?

[DeaconBlues]

Springtime is here, and its almost time again scour the fields, abandoned orchards, etc., for the rare fungi. They are not much to look at but the thrill of the hunt is great and they are mind-blowingly delicious. Anybody else risk blisters, stickers, and aching muscles for the shrooms?



http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:S-Wohx2MZswJ:www.conservation.state.mo.us/nathis/

[Straight Shooter]

1. I don't, but it's amazing how many people around here do that.

Quite the delicacy, though.

Good luck with your morel hunting. Happy eating :D

[DeaconBlues]

5. Thanks!

Typically do my hunting in my homestate of West Virginia, but I probably will have to spend this season in Nebraska. Morels seem to be a much more rare here in the plains. I'll still get out to hunt, but I may have to actually break down and order some online!

[eleny]

2. morels come up in the yard once in a while

but i don't know how to identify them. i've picked mushrooms all my life. but i don't know about morels.

[DeaconBlues]

4. They are pretty distinctive looking

White stem, grey or dark body. The body is pock-marked and sort of looks like a brain. They are hollow inside. There are some concern over finding "false" morels, as opposed to real morels, but I don't think I have ever come across any false morels in my years of hunting.

Here's a great site for info about morels:

http://www.thegreatmorel.com/index.html

[eleny]

6. Thanks

I know their general shape but worried about knowing which are safe. I grew up in NYC and was more familiar with what grew in local woods in the parks. Now, here in Colorado I find Boletus. :)

[mike_c]

3. oh man, a few years ago...

...I was working with one of my grad students in Idaho (damn, I can't think of the mountains-- outside Cascade) during morel season. Folks were collecting them by the grocery sack full and we gorged ourselves. I had dried morels for nearly a year afterward. Big blond ones as large as my fist, and smaller dark ones.

[DeaconBlues]

8. Would have loved to be there for that.

Funny thing about morels, is that they give poor folks the opportunity to eat like the rich. A kid with a bag can find in the backwoods what gourmands are willing to pay $30/40 dollars a pound for.

[Guy Fawkes]

7. I'm still hunting the elusive republican morals!

[DeaconBlues]

9. You'll probably be hunting a long time for those n/t

[mike_c]

10. bloody wanker....

Piss off.

[elperromagico]

11. I would, but this country has no morel values.

No point in having morels if they aren't worth anything.