The Mighty Mushroom
It was bound to happen. Word gets out that you plant a couple of vegetables and before you know it the postman arrives bearing mushroom logs and shitake spawn. Think that sounds scary? It looks even worse–
This organically zany gift arrived from my sister via this gourmet mushroom site. The gourmet mushroom site offers interesting products, like mushroom plug spawn and log inoculation. It does not offer anywhere near the number of references to poison that I happened upon while researching mushrooms this past summer.
And what had me rushing to google for mushroom facts this summer? Grandpa Mikey. Grandpa Mikey was playing with the children in the backyard when he discovered a plethora of wild mushrooms. Yummy! Never mind that until this day we referred to those vegetative gems as Toadstools of Doom. Forget too that I had convinced the girls they’d be turned into warty newts if they dared touch the forbidden fungi.
All was well with the princesses. Harmony ruled the land with the division between poison and not poison firmly drawn in the dirt. And then along comes Grandpa claiming that yes, perhaps they were poisonous. But maybe, just maybe, they weren’t. It had all the ingredients for a fun little homespun experiment: nature, science, plus the very real possibility of death. Thunderbolts clapped and lightening shattered the peaceful little village…
Ok, the sun stayed put and the girls got down to experimenting with their beloved Professor Grandpa. First up, harvest the tasty treats. Next gill-print the ‘shrooms. I was away from the lab when Grandpa said what came next, but I think once you’ve got the prints you just cross-reference them in the fungal offenders’ data base, then book ’em.
Assistant Mushroom-ologist Grandma snapped these shots for posterity (or maybe for poison-control? That Grandma is always prepared.)
While the science was bubbling away, I snuck off to google poisonous mushrooms. Here are some delightful phrases that I encountered:
- Wild mushrooms may contain one of the deadliest poisons found in nature;
- Because (these) mushrooms have definitely caused death, we cannot recommend that you eat them.
- If you nevertheless choose to do so, they should be thoroughly cooked in a well-ventilated room.
I wish I were so totally cool and open-minded that I could issue a stern warning of death, and then move right on to cooking tips. Alas, I am dull. Or am I…? Go ahead and try this recipe for KILLER pumpkin muffins…If. You. Dare. Insert evil laugh here.)
Note: A Greener Biener does not release any recipes that may or may not cause sudden death.
9 Replies to “The Mighty Mushroom”
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I’m no Martha Stewart or Rachel Ray type, but I’m thinking to definitely stay away from the potentially poisonous mushrooms.
Love the comment about death warning followed by cooking recipe, so awesome! As you know, I’ve always been a great fan of ‘shrooms….
Funny just the other day as I was exploring our property I found an old pike of logs that were covered with just beautiful mushrooms — I looked and thought and the warnings (as you posted) came to mind so I walked away but in the back of my mind I was thinking what a delightful treat if they would not cause sudden death!!!!
Keep us posted on your mushroom growing, I had a small mushroom tree that I had to give away when we moved. I hope to get another!
as far as I can tell the mushrooms in your back yard we picked were good and quite yummy. Called meadow mushrooms, if I recall. Await my pkgs. MSS
But the big question is – are you a shroom grower now?!
I freaked out a few days ago when Baby was totally going for some random mushrooms growing in a field we were letting her roam around. Husband thought I was overreacting, feh!!! Little did I know we basically had a near death experience…
I am with Kelc – stay away from the potentially poisonous mushrooms. Are you growing the mushrooms that Danielle sent? Hope all is well!
Lighten up! Most mushrooms are non-toxic. A handful can be deadly, many are delicious, but most unsuitable for eating because of taste, texture, size etc…
The hard rule is this: NEVER eat a mushroom you are not familiar with. Most choice mushrooms are easy to identify, so go out with an experienced picker or join a mycology club and learn about the good ones that grow in your area. Once you know them, you won’t make a mistake. I like to use this analogy with fishermen:”would you ever confuse a trout with a bass? Of course not!” Edible mushrooms are no different. BTW kids LOVE mushroom foraging and they’re good at it: it’s like an Easter egg hunt. In Europe, thousands of families make it a Sunday outing. Exercise, nature, family time and dinner, what’s not to like?
I found the exact same mushrooms in my garden and I was wondering if it is poisonous as my mum threatened me not to eat it.