Page 272 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods
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White Hedgehog, Hydnum
albidum (HYDNACEAE)
Bill Sheehan, CC-BY-SA-4.0
Bill Sheehan, CC-BY-SA-4.0
Mycowalt, CC-BY-SA-4.0
WHITE HEDGEHOG is found in the mixed forests of Spore print: white
southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. EDIBLE PARTS: cap, stem
Fruiting in summer and early fall, it grows on the soil
HOW TO EAT: This delightful mushroom is sweet,
under conifers and hardwoods. These mushrooms oc-
nutty, and easy to identify. Simply saute it in butter to
cur alone or scattered.
appreciate its smooth flavor. It is also excellent in pas-
CAP: Measuring 0.4-2.8 inches (1-7cm) across, the ta, on pizza, or paired with turkey. To avoid soaking
cap is broadly convex becoming nearly flat and often when removing the grit from its spines, use a brush or
lobed. Its bald, white to creamy surface is dry, soft, damp towel.
and slightly felty to the touch. The thick flesh bruises
WHITE HEDGEHOG RICOTTA TART: Ingredients: ½
orange or dull yellow when sliced. Its odor is not dis-
cup ricotta cheese, ¼ cup Parmesan (freshly grated),
tinctive, while its taste is mild to slightly peppery.
1 tbsp. rosemary, salt, pepper, butter, 2-3 cups mush-
SPINES: The slender spines, which densely cover the rooms (chunked), ¼ cup dry white wine, 10 sheets
cap’s underside, are of various lengths, from 0.04- phyllo dough, 2-4 tbsp. olive oil. Sauté mushrooms in
0.28 inches (0.1-0.7cm) long. They are soft and white, butter (3 min.). Add wine and simmer until evaporat-
bruising orange and sometimes running down the ed. In a bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, rosemary,
stem. salt, pepper. Line a large sheet pan with parchment
STEM: The thick white stem is 0.8-2 inches (2-5cm) paper. Brush each layer of phyllo dough with olive oil
long and 0.3-0.8 inches (0.8-2cm) thick. It is smooth, and stack on top of each other. Roll over edges to cre-
and sometimes slightly off-center. When bruised, it ate a crust. Spread ricotta over tart and cover with
stains orange or brownish-orange. mushrooms. Bake for 35-30 min. at 400°F (200°C).
SPORES: 4.0-5.5 x 3.5-4.0 µm, subglobose, smooth;
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