Page 232 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Inky Cap, Coprinopsis

atramentaria (PSATHYRELLACEAE)

INKY CAP is a widely distributed fungus that is found SPORES: 6.5-10.5 x 4-6.5 µ, elliptical, smooth, central
in urban and wooded areas. Fruiting from spring un- pore; Spore print: black
til fall, it grows on and around old stumps and tree EDIBLE PARTS: young caps and stems
bases, or springs from buried wood. Inky caps often
KEY MEDICINAL USES: This species has demonstrat-
form large, dense clumps. At maturity, their gills and
ed antitumor and antifungal activities.
caps digest themselves, producing an inky black liq-
HOW TO EAT: While this mushroom’s flesh is thin and
uid that drips from the mushrooms.
watery, its flavor is decent. Harvest young specimens
CAP: The cap is 0.8-3 inches (2-8cm) broad. Oval
and cook them immediately - they will begin to digest
when young, it becomes broadly bell-shaped as it
themselves overnight. Do not consume alcohol or use
ages, before deliquescing into black “ink” from the
alcohol-based products for up to 48 hrs. before or af-
margin inward. Its dry, somewhat smooth surface
ter eating inky caps.
is light greyish-brown when immature, often with a
INKY CAP CARBONARA: Ingredients: 14 oz. (400 g)
browner, finely scaly center, and pale margin. Sleek
spaghetti, 1-quart (950 g) mushrooms, ½ lb. (220 g)
fibrils may persist on the surfaces of young caps. Ma-
pancetta (diced), 2 garlic cloves (minced), olive oil,
ture mushrooms are dark grey with lobed, often rag-
3-4 eggs, 1 cup grated parmesan, salt, pepper. Heat
ged margins. The mushroom’s thin flesh transforms
water for pasta. Sauté mushrooms and pancetta in oil.
from grey to liquified black.
When the mushrooms become tender, add garlic. Beat
GILLS: The broad, crowded gills are free or nearly
eggs with ½ cup parmesan in a bowl. Cook spaghet-
free. They begin white, passing through the stages of
ti, drain and immediately toss with eggs, mushrooms,
grey and pink, before turning runny black.
and pancetta. Season with salt, pepper, and parmesan.
STEM: Measuring 1.6-6 inches (4-15cm) long and 0.2-
WARNING: Do not eat this mushroom if you regularly
0.6 inches (0.6-1.5cm) thick, the hollow stem is equal
consume alcohol. Inky caps contain coprine, which re-
or tapered upward. It is white and covered in minute,
acts with even trace amounts of alcohol in the body to
greyish flattened hairs.
cause severe poisoning.
PARTIAL VEIL: Finely hairy when present, the par-
POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: C. insignis - spores are
tial veil may leave behind an inferior to basal ring or
warty.
poorly developed volva.
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