Just as I freed myself from a few tasks today, I hurried into the woodland for a fungi hunt.
It was already starting to get dark, and the whole day had been gloomy anyway. As usual, my kitty Blu sensed that I was heading out on a little mission and eagerly followed me without needing an invitation.
Off we went, and the first thing I spotted was my favourite, honey mushrooms.
Sadly, they were already past their prime for harvesting
Further along, I came across a fallen log absolutely covered in honey mushrooms.
There were so many of them, it would have been such a good harvest!
I couldn’t help but blame myself for not coming here a couple of days earlier. These honey mushrooms, now too far gone, what a meal I could have made with them! But no point crying over spilt milk.
More were getting mouldy; they were decomposing naturally, as fungi recycle each other
As I walked deeper into the woods, I noticed a fiery mushroom as I turned my torch on.
Then I noticed many more fiery mushrooms scattered around, some in groups.
They look good! One thing I noticed when I tasted the milky sap this time is that it was sweet at first, then became spicy afterwards.
I couldn’t resist picking some of them.
I also came across a few other types of mushrooms. These tiny ones scattered around looked like the white fibrecaps.
At first, I thought, “Wow, magic mushrooms!” because of the nipple on the cap, but until now, I have never come across one.
A group of deceivers (Laccaria laccata), which I hadn’t suspected, were indeed deceiving.
In the end, I harvested enough fiery milkcaps.
Before it got dark, we headed home!
Once home, I cleaned them.
And boiled them with salt for about ten minutes to reduce the spicy substance.
One thing I noticed with this type of mushroom is that it stays firm and meaty.
I lacto-fermented half to preserve them; it will make them taste even nicer, neutralise their spiciness, and help avoid any gastric upset.
The rest I added to a curry. I kept them whole so they wouldn’t disintegrate in the sauce.
They’re meaty, and I love to chew them and enjoy the texture.
The mushroomy taste, the spiciness, and that little hint of bitterness suited the curry beautifully.
Wishing everyone a lovely day!
Mariah :)