Page 256 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Oak Chanterelle, Cantharellus

californicus (CANTHARELLACEAE)

Alan Rockefeller, CC-BY-SA-3.0

Ivy Hutchison

Alan Rockefeller, CC-BY-SA-4.0

OAK CHANTERELLE, also known as the Mud Pup- colored like the cap or paler.
py, is found in coastal California during the fall and
SPORES: 8-13 x 4-5.5 µ, elliptical, smooth; Spore
winter. This sizable yellow mushroom fruits on for-
print: pale yellow
est floors under and around California live oak, and
EDIBLE PARTS: cap, stem
less frequently near other oak species and tanoak.
Occurring solitarily or numerously, its appearance HOW TO EAT: Oak chanterelles are known for their
often follows heavy rainfalls. fruity flavor and good texture. Seek them out after
CAP: Measuring 2-8 inches (5-20cm) broad, the cap heavy rains and under organic debris.
begins planoconvex with its margin rolling inward. OAK CHANTERELLES ON TOAST: Ingredients: olive
It expands to become broadly convex, flat, or vase- oil, 1 lb. (500g) mushrooms (chopped), 2 tbsp. sherry
shaped. The margins of mature mushrooms vary vinegar, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 1 cup vegetable stock, ½
enormously. They may be wavy, inrolled, upturned, tsp. rosemary, 1 tsp. thyme, 1 tbsp. parsley (chopped),
or irregular. Colored light yellow to sulfur yellow, the 1 tbsp. butter, salt, pepper, shaved Parmesan. Sauté
cap’s surface is mostly smooth with whitish patches. chanterelles in oil (4 min.). Add vinegar and lemon
The thick, firm flesh is whitish to yellowish with a juice; reduce. Add stock; reduce by half. Stir in herbs,
fruity fragrance and a mild taste. butter, and seasoning. Served on toasted sourdough,

UNDERSURFACE: False gills are decurrent. As the topped with Parmesan.
mushroom matures, these ridges often fork, develop POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Omphalotus olivas-
cross-veins, and become network-like. The undersur- cens - central to off-center stem; dull orange to yel-
face may be golden to whitish-yellow. lowish-olive color; true gills; grows on logs or at the
STEM: The fleshy stem is 0.8-3.5 inches (2-9cm) long base of hardwoods; Gomphus floccosus - cap deeply
and 0.2-1.4 inches (0.5-3.5cm) thick. It is often nar- depressed to hollowed; dry surface covered by con-
rowly tapered at the base. Its smooth, dry surface is spicuous scales; transparent spores.

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