Page 231 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Glistening Ink Cap, Coprinellus

micaceus (PSATHYRELLACEAE)

GLISTENING INK CAP grows in large fused clusters VEIL: The universal veil may leave a crude basal ring.
on wood, such as tree roots, hardwood stumps, and SPORES: 7-11 x 4-6 µ, subelliptical to mitriform,
buried debris. Widely distributed, it fruits during smooth, thick-walled, apical pore; Spore print: black-
cold, damp weather from spring until fall. Mush- ish-brown to black
rooms can be found both in wooded and urban areas.
EDIBLE PARTS: cap, stem
CAP: The cap begins oval, expanding to 0.6-2 inches
KEY MEDICINAL USES: This mushroom has demon-
(1.5-5cm) wide, with a bell-shaped or convex outline. strated antitumor and modest antimicrobial activities.
In young mushrooms, the surface is flecked with glit-
HOW TO EAT: While this mushroom’s flesh is thin and
tering white particles, which eventually wash away.
watery, its flavor is pleasant. Only harvest young spec-
The cap is lined or grooved from the margin towards
imens and cook them immediately - they will begin to
the center. Its color, which may be light brown, yel-
digest themselves overnight.
lowish, or reddish-brown, fades in age from the mar-
MICACEUS COOKIES: Ingredients: 3 ripe bananas, ⅓
gins. The margins are often lobed, becoming ragged
cup vegetable oil, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. nutmeg, 1
and upturned with time. The watery flesh is pale buff.
pinch salt, ¾ cup mushroom caps (gills and stems re-
GILLS: Crowded gills are attached to the stem or free. moved) 1 ½ cups rolled oats, ½ fine-grain oat bran, ¾
At first whitish, they darken to brown and then black, cup raisins, ¾ cup chopped walnuts. Combine mashed
before partially dissolving into inky liquid. bananas, oil, spices, raisins, nuts, and mushrooms. Mix
STALK: The delicate stalk is white and hollow, with a in oats and bran. Form dough into cookies. Bake for
smooth, finely hairy, or faintly powdery surface. Mea- 15-18 min. at 350°F (175°C).
suring 0.8-3 inches (2-8cm) long and 0.12-0.25 inches POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: C. insignis - spores are
(3-6mm) thick, it is equal, or nearly so. warty.

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