Page 252 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods
P. 252

CHANTERELLES  AND  CHANTERELLE-


     LIKE  MUSHROOMS






     Chanterelles have undersides with thick, shallow folds that have cross-veins instead of true gills, forked
     ridges that run down the stem, and blunt edges. They are often funnel or trumpet-shaped. Their cap and
     stalk are not always clearly defined.



             Black Chanterelle, Craterellus

              cinereus (CANTHARELLACEAE)
























        BLACK CHANTERELLES are wide-ranging  in North           base. Some eastern specimens share stems.
        America but relatively uncommon. They can be dis-       SPORES: 8-11 x 5-6 µ, elliptical, smooth; Spore print:
        tinguished from other dark-hued chanterelles by the     whitish
        network of forking ridges that run along their under-
                                                                EDIBLE PARTS: cap, stem
        sides. Appearing in spring, these mushrooms fruit on
                                                                HOW  TO  EAT:  These  big-flavor  chanterelles  are
        the ground under oaks, occurring singly, scattered, or
                                                                smokey, woodsy, and sweet. They pair well with but-
        in dense groups. Fused clusters can be found east of
                                                                ter, cream, and meats.
        the Rocky Mountains.
                                                                MIDNIGHT  BREAKFAST:  Ingredients: black  chante-
        CAP: The cap is 0.5-2.5 inches (1.5-6cm) across and
                                                                relles, butter, 1 clove garlic (diced), ¼ cup leeks (chun-
        depressed,  forming  a funnel or  vase  shape  with a
                                                                ked), 2 tbsp. chicken broth, 1 tbsp. cream, 1 tbsp. white
        wavy or  lobed margin. Its  dry  surface is smooth to
                                                                wine,  salt, pepper, thyme, 4 eggs, 4 slices baguette,
        finely scaly. Young mushrooms are black. As they age
                                                                mozzarella. In a skillet, cook garlic and leeks in butter
        or lose moisture, they become brownish-grey. The
                                                                (1-2 min.). Add broth, cream, wine, thyme (simmer 10
        thin flesh is black or grey.
                                                                min.). Add salt and pepper. Cover and warm on low
        UNDERSIDE: The  cap’s undersurface is  patterned
                                                                heat. Butter baguette slices and layer on mozzarella.
        with  a  network  of raised, forking  false  gills.  These
                                                                Add mushrooms to leeks (cook 1-2 min.). Poach eggs.
        ridges are interconnected by cross veins. Beginning
                                                                Broil mozzarella  toast  (3 min.). Serve mushrooms,
        bluish-black, the underside changes to grey as it be-
                                                                leeks, and eggs on toast.
        comes dusted with spores.
                                                                POISONOUS  LOOK-ALIKES:  Plectania  spp.: cup-
        STEM: The stem is 0.8-3 inches (2-8cm) tall, 0.2-0.5
                                                                shaped,  not trumpet-shaped;  Urnula  spp. - urn-
        inches (0.4-1.3cm) thick and equal, or thinner toward
                                                                shaped.  Thelephora terrestris  -  normally fruits in
        the base. Colored like the cap,  it may be central  or
                                                                rosette-like fans; purple-brown coloration.
        off-center. Its interior is hollow above and solid at the
                                                             251
   247   248   249   250   251   252   253   254   255   256   257