Wild Leeks and Morel Mushrooms
On a walk this past weekend my husband was lucky enough to find wild leeks (he calls them ramps) and morel mushrooms. Thank you Mother Nature!My husband was careful to just pick a few leeks from the outside edge of each bunch so they'll regrow next year. The leeks, which he pickled, have a surprisingly sweet flavor. As for the morels, he carried them in a mesh bag so their spores could spread and hopefully create a few new patches of shroomy goodness. They are drying and will be saved for a few special dishes; I'm hoping for prime rib with a morel sauce...
Disclaimer:
ReplyDeleteThe ramps came from patches on private land! It is illegal to pick (or dig) plants on State Park land.
Mushrooms, however, if cut off at the base and no pulled up, benefit from being harvested. If a mesh bag is used while collecting the spores are allowed to spread. It also keeps your harvest cleaner than using a plastic bag.
How fortunate for your hubby to find such delicacies!! I was just at a gourmet type farm market place and they wanted a small fortune for those Morels. But they are tasty :-)
ReplyDeleteUsing a mesh bag to transport them is quite interesting - I had never heard that before.
Happy Wednesday!!
They look wonderful!!!!! I'm coming to your house for dinner, lol.
ReplyDeleteMorels and ramps! I am so jealous. We went hunting but were too late.
ReplyDeleteAs a child, at this time of the year, my family would always go mushroom hunting for Morel mushrooms. My grandfather knew a man with wooded property. It was always a fun time even though I didn't/don't eat mushrooms...well, except for the tick check at the end and the bathing with Felz-Naptha soap. Thanks for reminding me of some treasured childhood memories.
ReplyDeleteMy son sold some dried morel mushrooms on Ebay for a fantastic price this winter! Hopefully the mesh bag will produce more mushrooms for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment on my blog! I'm definitely envious that you live on Mackinac!
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say that I've never had a morel, though I do like mushrooms. I bet they will be very yummy!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of food, I'm hosting a giveaway on my blog for the next few days that is somewhat food related....please stop by to sign up! The more the merrier!
My sweetie would just love hanging out with your sweetie in the mushroom patch! He loves to collect wild mushrooms - especially chanterelles in the fall but would love to find a nice patch of spring time morels. We have only found one - one morel - no patches!!
ReplyDeleteHorray for you both! Sounds like you have a very special treat to savor.
ReplyDeletethat is so kool. we are not familiar enough with mushrooms to go picking...the morrels are odd looking enough that it would be safe to look for those but ive heard of too many people picking the wrong ones, even people who thought they were "experts". ramps, we have wild asparagus but mark would love wild leeks. the bounty of mother nature is truly awesome.
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