Morels Can’t be Trusted
Morels can’t be trusted. They’ll be nowhere in sight when conditions are just perfect. You’ll hunt in the ideal places and end up scorned with nothing but an empty basket. Then another day they’ll throw themselves at your feet, carpeting the ground before you. They are fickle, wily tricksters. But, God help us, we’re totally shameless if our passionate pursuit of these little dimples darlings.
Connie Green
(The Wild Table: Seasonal Foraged Food and Recipes)
I’m wondering if we’ll have a morel season this year here at Chiot’s Run. I found three small mushrooms in the garden a few weeks ago, but no more have been spotted. I think the hot dry spell we had a few weeks ago may have made the mushrooms decide to take a year off.
Only time will tell if the morels will be up this year, they’re elusive that’s for sure, which is what makes them so great. I won’t write them off until mid-May, if I don’t have any by then I’ll know they’re taking the year off.
Have you ever eaten morels? Do you hunt them in your area?
Filed under Quote | Comments (26)
I am interested in foraging for them,but don’t know of any mushroom”hot spots” . I think just like a good fishing spot, good mushroom locations are kept as guarded secrets. I’ll have to read up on them and find my own good spot I guess.
to Kathi Cook's comment
All of our spots we’ve just stumbled on by accident.
to Susy's comment
Stumbling upon Morels is wonderful.
Morels do grow in conjunction with certain plants/areas conditions. Morel hunters usually look for dead elms or ash/poplars or old apple trees. That said, I just met a woman who has morels growing near her sidewalk.
to Little Homestead in the Village's comment
Yeah, and here they grow in the old gravel driveway out back – go figure!
to Susy's comment
I do go foraging for Morels and other edible fungi. Morels are my favorites. The season will soon be starting here in Central NY. I learned a good tip. Wash your Morels in a bowl of water (you’ll want to wash them as they may have a few bugs) then pour the water -along with any trimmings in your back yard. The water will contain spores and who knows but you just might be “seeding” for a future crop.
to Little Homestead in the Village's comment
I always do this. Last year I even added some molasses and kept adding more water trying to get the spores to multiply.
to Susy's comment
This has been a hot topic at our house this weekend. I have been trying to get the husband to go out looking. They are like crack, what else could make you spend 8 hours in the woods, come back empty handed and go back out again the next day and the next and the next. We have a friend that has a secret spot he get pounds of them but he wont share his shrooms or the spot. Rumor is it’s an abandoned apple orchard. What cracks me up is my husband asked me to buy him camo pants & shirt for mushroom hunting. I guess it helps if the mushrooms don’t see you coming.
to wendy's comment
rofl.. best laugh I’ve had all day.. maybe all week. ;)
to KimH's comment
…Sporting camo while mushroom hunting so mushrooms don’t see you coming – Priceless. *giggle*snort* :o)
to tj's comment
It wasn’t a good year for them here in southern WV. We usually have several in our backyard and we didn’t have a single one this year. And the Hubs only found 8 tiny ones at his no fail secret spot. I sure missed eating them this year.
to Jennelle's comment
People have mentioned a few times that we should have some since they like to grow in Orchards, however, we have yet to find any!
to Allison's comment
Here in Northern Missouri it has been a banner year for Morels. We have found a few in our flower beds but have managed to find several gallons in the woods so far.
to Canned Quilter's comment
We do! More often when we lived in a different area of the state, though. They are my husband’s favorite. Here in Central Oregon, we have discovered puffballs. One year we found several the size of large dinner plates! That was a very good year. :)
to KimP's comment
I always think about harvesting puff balls when I see them, someday I will.
to Susy's comment
I’m jealous! I don’t know if we have any here in SE Texas, my guess is not. But, we did forage some on the AT when we hiked two years ago—excellent addition to our meals!
to Misti's comment
Must be due to another wet Spring here in Southern Oregon, lots of morels to be found :)
to Brooke – in Oregon's comment
We had them in Alaska but it was only the two seasons after a forest fire (a common occurrence.) However up there harvesters come from all over the world to gather them and typically they are sold for quite a sum of money. Personally, I’m not too keen on them and my family dislikes them immensely. I picked for the joy of picking and usually gave away 2 or 3 grocery bags full to friends each year.
to Peggy's comment
I’ve never had them, Oh horror, I know. I’ve just never had the opportunity.. Perhaps someday I shall..
to KimH's comment
I have nit seen this here on the west coast but they look delicious. I think I’ll step up the research and if they are in area I sure hope to find some. Thanks for the pictures.
to Debra's comment
…Ah yes, the elusive, coveted, delicious morel mushroom. They’re our lil’ version of truffles. We have a friend who knows where to harvest boat loads of ’em and he’d give up his life before spilling the beans as to where their located. He sells ’em to chefs in downtown St. Louis and apparently makes a nice little sum of money from doing so.
…I love ’em and so does my husband. We got a handful this year and that was it. I know whenever we eat ’em one word consistently pops into my head – “divine”. :o)
…Have a great rest of the day!
…Blessings :o)
to tj's comment
We love morels. When we were out yesterday, hubby almost went out hunting but it was getting late and he was all wet from the drizzles. May be some around here, haven’t checked. We do get puff balls all the time durng the summer. Not sure the best time to pick them – early on, I’m assuming??
to judym's comment
I spent $15 for little packets of dehydrated, just in case. You can only find dehydrated ones seasonally too. Then easter sunday we went hunting and I brought a mess of them home.
I’m thinking morels, my first homebrew, and some venison my brother-in-law gave will make a nice meal.
to Bonnie's comment
I LOVE morels with venison – that’s how we usually enjoy all the ones we find!
to Susy's comment
Had filet and morels for dinner, they’re up!
to Jay Miller's comment
Nope. Never.
to Maybelline's comment
Oh! They are so good sauteed in butter … yes, I’ve foraged for them before. Best mushroom ever!
to Patricia from edible-landscape-design.com's comment