Page 267 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

TOOTHED/SPINED MUSHROOMS

Bear’s Head, Hericium
abietis (HERICIACEAE)

Jason Hollinger, CC-BY-SA-3.0

BEAR’S HEAD, also known as Conifer Coral Herici- EDIBLE PARTS: fruiting body
um, looks like a frozen waterfall with its profusion KEY MEDICINAL USES: The Hericium genus is cur-
of icicle-like spines. Fruiting between fall and win- rently being investigated for its role in preventing
ter, it grows exclusively on dead or rotting conifers, neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.
reappearing annually. Its preferred hosts are Fir and
HOW TO EAT: This delicate sweet mushroom has
Douglas-fir. Bear’s Head is native to western North
the flavor and texture of crab meat. It can be sauteed,
America.
breaded and pan-fried, pickled, or made into “crab
FRUITING BODY: Supported by a substructure of cakes”. For the best taste, harvest mushrooms when
dense branches, each 0.8-1.2 inches (2-3cm) thick, they are young and white. Make sure to wash them
Bear’s Head can grow from 4-30 inches (10-75cm) well to remove any hidden grit.
long and wide. From these branches spill a mass of STEAMED BEAR’S HEAD WITH BUTTER AND
thin, drooping spines. Its overall color may vary from
HERBS: Ingredients: 1 lb. (500g) Bear’s Head
white to pinkish, becoming yellowish, brownish, or
(cleaned), 16 oz. (450g) salted butter, lemon wedges,
salmon with age. The fruity body is anchored to its
fresh sage, and parsley (chopped), salt, 1 clove garlic.
substrate by a knoblike base.
Crush clove of garlic and add it to a small saucepan
SPINES: The spines may be 0.2-1-inch-long (5-25mm) with butter. Heat until the garlic starts to sizzle. Let
long and up to 0.04 inches (1mm) wide. Soft, delicate, cool and remove the garlic. Break mushrooms into
and clustered at the branch tips, they create a cascad- bite-sized pieces and steam until cooked. Reheat but-
ing appearance. ter with herbs until they begin to get crispy. Serve
SPORES: 4.5-5.5 x 4-5 µ, subglobose, smooth or slight- mushrooms in bowls with flavored butter, lemon
ly rough, amyloid; Spore print: white wedges, and salt.

266