Saturday, September 15, 2012

Chicken of the Woods

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Laetiporus Sulphureus, A.K.A "Chicken of the Woods

Mushroom hunters out there are probably smacking their lips at the sight of this gorgeous thing. I spotted it from the driveway on my way to work last week, watching it grow, and I eventually got out there for a closer look.

I didn't know it at the time I took the photo, but it's an edible mushroom, one of the "fearless four" that have no poisonous look-alikes. By all accounts it is tasty when young, fried up with butter and garlic.

However, there are warnings that it causes allergic reactions in some people. Being allergic to just about everything, I decided it wasn't worth the risk.

Shelf Mushrooms


There are quite a few wild foods on our property, from common ones like black walnuts and wild cherries to the more exotic, like sassafras and nettles. One day I hope to work up the courage to try some of them. So far, bramble berries and morel mushrooms are as wild as we get.

Do you forage for wild foods? Any suggestions?



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12 comments:

Tammie Lee said...

Yum indeed!
More than yum, you sure found gorgeous picture perfect specimens!

MyMaracas said...

Sounds like you speak from experience, Tammie! I wish now that I had tried it.

Daryl said...

Toonman spotted some like that on a walk in the park recently, it took me a week or so to go with him to see them .. by then they were not at all pretty nor would i ever have imagined them edible .. but these look pretty and edible .. definitely more photographable than the ones Toonman insisted i take a photo of ..

EG CameraGirl said...

Very attractive! I'm not sure I would eat them, though. :)

Unknown said...

That's one unique mushroom. I've never seen one before. Its quite amazing.
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MyMaracas said...

Daryl, by the time I found out they were edible they had gotten pretty ugly. The slugs were enjoying them, though. :P

ET, Thanks! I'm still not sure either, but I just may give it a go next time I find some.

Rambling Woods said...

I only forage at the grocery store I'm afraid. I knew nothing of this fungi, but I love the way they look with their colors and textures.. Vicki..I am always happy to see you whenever you want to join in. No obligation....Michelle

Carver said...

Those mushrooms are very beautiful. I'd never have the nerve to gather them wild but I love mushrooms in nature for their beauty and I love eating the ones I buy at the store.

Nature Rambles said...

The first photo made my mouth water!! I wouldn't dare pick wild mushrooms...too many scary stories behind such acts of dare-devilry!;)

MyMaracas said...

Carver and Nature, I know what you mean. I'm leery, too. But from what I read, nothing else looks like these. At least, nothing that's poisonous. These and morels are supposedly safe.

Thanks, Loredan! They were very pretty, almost glowing in the sunlight.

Julia Ionov said...

Very true! I agree with you. Also, I like how you capture it. Nice photo actually.
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xoxo_grah said...

they look very nice and looks like it taste good too...I would love to taste them sometime....thanks for sharing...:)

xx!