Page 257 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Pig’s Ear, Gomphus

clavatus (GOMPHACEAE)

Vavrin, CC-BY-SA-3.0

Byrain, CC-BY-SA-3.0

PIG’S EARS or Violet Chanterelles (note that it is STEM: The stem is continuous with the underside.
not a true chanterelle), are found in southern Cana- Measuring 0.4-3 inches (1-8cm) long and 0.4-1.2 inch-
da and the northern United States. Appearing in late es (1-3cm) thick, it often branches from a fused base.
summer and fall, they fruit on the ground under co- The lower portion, which may be dull purple, buff, or
nifers, with a preference for fir and spruce. Rarely whitish, is often covered in white basal mycelium.
grow alone, most pig’s ears occur in groups or fused
SPORES: 10-13 x 4-6 µm, long-elliptical, winkled;
clusters arising from a common stem. These clusters
Spore print: dingy yellow or brownish
of fruiting bodies, which are clublike with flattened
EDIBLE PARTS: fruiting body
tops, may grow up to 6 inches (15cm) tall and 8 inch-
es (20cm) broad. HOW TO EAT: Pig’s ears are rich and earthy with a
firm, meaty texture. They are excellent sauteed, stir-
CAP: Caps within a larger fruiting body are 0.8-4
fried, or slow-cooked in soups and stews. Harvest
inches (2-10cm) across and often asymmetrical, with
them before they develop a bitter taste.
wavy to lobed upturned margins. Each cap begins
broadly convex, before flattening or becoming cen- PIG’S EARS TACOS: Ingredients: mushrooms
trally depressed. Their dry surfaces are smooth to (chopped thickly), lard, 1 lb. (500g) roma tomatoes, 1
finely scaly. Color may vary from light purplish-grey large jalapeño, 3 garlic cloves, ½ onion, tortillas, salt,
to buff or creamy tan. The firm flesh is creamy white cilantro. In a skillet, lightly char tomatoes, onion, jal-
or faint lilac. apeños, and garlic. Peel off charred skins. Puree vege-
tables with cilantro. Add salt. Sauté mushrooms with
UNDERSIDE: The blunt false gills run down the stem
to the base. They are wrinkled and cross-veined, of- lard. Add salt. Toast tortillas on a greased pan. Pile on
mushrooms and salsa.
ten forking and creating a poroid appearance. The un-
derside is purplish brown, pale lilac, or purplish-grey, WARNING: Though edible, pig’s ears cause stomach
fading to buff in age. upset in some people.

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