Among Friends

[cheriere]

Tomorrow I plan on hunting for Hickory Chickens.  Some of you might be more familiar with their technical name of Morel Mushrooms.🍄‍🟫 

They're only in season for a very short time, usually from mid April until just around the first week or two in May.  So, technically I guess I'll be hunting throughout these next few weeks whenever I get the chance.

We normally search down in the woods, in an area close to where a stream runs.  But finding them sure isn't an easy task.  They're few and far between.  However, we have had good luck in the past.  If you do go hunting, please take a knife.  You must cut these off instead of pulling them up or they won't grow back in that spot.

Because of this, many consider them a delicacy.  A couple nice restaurants in town will pay top dollar if you're willing to sell some to them.  We never have, instead keeping what few messes we find for ourselves.

Hopefully, I'll find a few.  I'll post what I'm able to find.  I found this picture on the internet just in case I'm empty handed tomorrow lol.

Sometimes, they're more orange yellow than in this pic too

[DSD2]

@cheriere I've never heard of "Hickory Chickens"!

I am like a Hobbit when it comes to mushrooms, always greedy for more 

Happy hunting! 

[Sage04]

@cheriere  I have never seen these before. About how many do you usually find and how are they prepared?

[KingstonMom]

They sure look ugly! LOL!

[Sage04]

@cheriereI Googled it and it's available on Amazon for a lot of money. It's saying $199.99. I don't understand because it does not say the amount you get. Added 5 to my cart just for the fun of it and then added 10 and the price remains $199.99.

[cheriere]

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@Sage04 wrote:

@cheriere  I have never seen these before. About how many do you usually find and how are they prepared?

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Well, it all depends as to how many you can find.  Friends of ours has a nice flat field where they seem to sprout up like crazy!  They actually do sell them to other neighbors.

We only usually find maybe two or three good messes.  That's if we just hunt a little.  Where we have to hunt is a long walk, so we don't hunt like before.

But, these mushrooms are quite big, so about 6 or 7 is enough to prepare for one meal.  We'd get about 18-21.

Before preparing, most people soak them in water with a little salt.  This is just to make sure the bugs are all out lol.  Then, you slice them longways and bread with a little flour, salt and pepper.  Then fry quickly in hot oil.

Theyre quite moist inside and delicious!😋🌸

[cheriere]

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@KingstonMom wrote:

They sure look ugly! LOL!

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LOL, they are quite funny looking!  They can be huge sometimes too!  I've found some 8 inches tall!

But, they do taste delicious if prepared right.😃🌸

[cheriere]

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@Sage04 wrote:

@cheriereI Googled it and it's available on Amazon for a lot of money. It's saying $199.99. I don't understand because it does not say the amount you get. Added 5 to my cart just for the fun of it and then added 10 and the price remains $199.99.

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Wow!  That's odd that the price wouldn't change.  I'm not sure how they'd sell online because they weigh such a little amount it's almost unbelievable, especially considering the size of some.  Around here, people usually sell them by a small container like a pint, quart or gallon size.💝🌸

[Sage04]

When I Googled it I thought they resembled sponge and after reading it, it says it's also called sponge mushroom.

This is so fascinating and you're correct it's expensive.

Happy hunting.

[OneHappyHiker]

@cheriere Thanks for providing the picture - I've never seen or had them BUT I'm ALWAYS up for a great tasting mushroom! I hope you find enough to be satisfied and extra to sell to those nice restaurants so they can prepare them for people who don't hunt them down (and you get a nice paycheck to boot!)