Wild about Mushrooms

[Neilikka]

There are lots of different ways to relax in Russia, and I've already wrote about how Russians enjoy spending weekends at their dachas. When Russians escape to the countryside we might go fishing, hunting, play badminton and so on. But what really strikes foreigners is the Russian predilection for gathering mushrooms.

"What?! Gather mushrooms?" my British colleague exclaimed. "When I read about this in a Russian textbook I thought it was a kind of joke or some vestige of the Soviet Union."

For Russian people, however, there is nothing strange about going to some woods and gathering mushrooms in the wild for eating. After a heavy rain, during mushroom season, whole families often venture into the nearest forest, picking bucketfuls of mushrooms, which are cooked and eaten for dinner upon return or, alternatively, dried or marinated for later consumption.

One of the most fascinating things about this activity is that even city residents know the most out-of-the-way paths in the forests, the special "mushroom places," and which mushrooms are edible and which could literally kill you.
Yes, it is possible to buy fresh, marinated or dried mushrooms in the store, but the aim of mushroom pickers is the joy of harvesting your own delicacies. "This jar contains ones I picked two years ago near Tver," one mushroom hunter told me, turning the jar. "Look how pretty their stripes are and at the caps they have..."

Thousands of years ago, Egyptian Pharaohs declared mushrooms sacred and reserved them for their own, godly, use. The Romans called them "food for the gods." The tradition of collecting mushrooms used to exist in a number of countries, but today Russia is one of last.
During the long history of gathering mushrooms Russians have acquired lots of different legends and superstitions.
Russian peasants considered any welcome surplus of mushrooms to betoken a similarly welcome surplus of bread. If you see a mushroom in your sleep, then Russians say it is a sign of tears to come. Whenever there are more mushrooms than you can deal with, it is a sign of war. In 1940, there were lots and lots of mushrooms, and the next year World War II broke out.

Each true ‘mushroomer' has his own secrets and certain words "to attract" mushrooms. Approaching the forest, they often say "Mother-soil, excuse me! Trees and leaves, relieve me." Are you ready to adopt this little Russian tradition? If yes, here is some advice from an experienced mushroom hunter to help you.

First, think about your clothes. No t-shirts! Your body must be covered and your head covered with a hat in order to repel ticks. Put on good shoes, with your trouser-legs over them to protect from the creepy crawlies.

Second, bring a sharp knife. When you cut a mushroom, be very gentle - don't bother the mushroom spawn. Don't pick any mushrooms you don't recognize (it is often hard to distinuguish between edible and poisonous species). Store collected mushrooms in a wicker basket. By the way, if you find an orange-cap boletus, look for one more - they grow in pairs. Whenever you find a toadstool, look more closely, as ceps should be nearby.

To find your way back, bring a compass with you, so that you won't get lost. Or orient yourself to the sun. There are also some natural reference points, such as the moss that grows on the northern side of trees.

By Daria Chernyshova

[Sveta's Hero]

I used to talk to a lady from the Eastern part of Ukraine. She loved gathering mushrooms with her mother on the weekend. She sent me a photo of her holding a basket full of big mushrooms. I love mushrooms and can imagine how tasty they would have been.

[zoroooo]

I am no eager to marry somebody who knows all about mushroom...:rolleyes:

witches...poisson ...murders .....

herculle poirot where are youuuuuuuuuuu.:becky:

[Neilikka]

Why do you use "used to"? What has happened to that Lady? I hope she didn't pick up poisonous mushrooms called "poganki"? Is she still alive?
I have just seen your profile. The main colour is black. What can it mean?:violin:

[Sveta's Hero]

Why do you use "used to"? What has happened to that Lady? I hope she didn't pick up poisonous mushrooms called "poganki"? Is she still alive?
I have just seen your profile. The main colour is black. What can it mean?:violin:


She is doing ok. She found husband in Sumy))). My profile is black only because it is easy on the eyes, compared to brightly colored green, for example.:)

[Neilikka]

Everything is well that ends well.
Don't you like green? I don't like it either.
Have you ever tried fried mushrooms?
Are there any eatable mushrooms in the American forests?:confused:

[Sveta's Hero]

Everything is well that ends well.
Don't you like green? I don't like it either.
Have you ever tried fried mushrooms?
Are there any eatable mushrooms in the American forests?:confused:

Yes, I like fried, but I love mostly raw mushrooms in salad with lettuce and tomatos. Here our mushrooms are grown in mushroom farms in caves.

[Neilikka]

Raw mushrooms? Is it possible to eat them raw even if they are grown on the farms?(we also have such in the stores but I have never ever heard of anybody who ate them raw!):faint:

[Sveta's Hero]

Raw mushrooms? Is it possible to eat them raw even if they are grown on the farms?(we also have such in the stores but I have never ever heard of anybody who ate them raw!):faint:

Yes, washed, and sliced and into salads. It is quite common, I think.

[alenika]

Yes, washed, and sliced and into salads. It is quite common, I think. I doubt it's row if you buy them :-) Maybe they are salten or in marinade...

I like gathering mushrooms and do this often :-) But I don't like to eat them :(
I am curious if it is used in Canada to collect mushroms in forests??

[kompukovboichik]

I doubt it's row if you buy them :-) Maybe they are salten or in marinade...

I like gathering mushrooms and do this often :-) But I don't like to eat them :(
I am curious if it is used in Canada to collect mushroms in forests??

it is very common to harvest mushrooms in canada... however not in the way you think... people harvest the psychadelic mushrooms for the drug trade. they grown well in the rain forests of the british columbia coast mountains. the patches are protected by armed men even.

however, they do collect wild edible mushrooms also. a mushroom buyer will park a van out in the bush, and people find him and he pays for the mushrooms by the pound (0.454 kg). some varieties are worth more than others. i am not sure which ones. most mushroom eaten in north america are sold in super markets. most of these are grown commercially in great mushroom sheds. the vast majority are purchased raw, although you can find pckled mushrooms in the specialty stores.

i use mushrooms in cooking very often, or eat them raw in a salad. they absorb flavour very well, and some such as protabello are very flavouful on their own.

i have mushrooms growing in my yard even when there is a prolonged rainy period. I do not know it they are the edible sort though.... :confused:

[alpine-frolic]

In France it's common to go to wild mushrooms gathering. Mostly at end of summer, so now!
Nothing is comparable at taste of fresh gathered mushrooms, you have all smell of the woods in your plate.
It's so the pleasure to walk in the forest, picnic...
Some are very much addicted to this activity and don't fear to go 200 kms from the town if they have heard mushrooms have grown in that or this region.
Some others are great specialists and gather at least 10 types of mushrooms for eating.
I currently know 5 species.
In my region you can find so truffles, but the harvest is in december and you are not allowed to catch them as they are property of owner of soil and have great value!
There are so lot of conflicts beetwin farmers and turists about the mushrooms. Most of woods are private.
Here the 2 more commun types.

[alpine-frolic]

Marché aux truffes de Lalbenque : truffes vendues entre 400/650 euros

l Vingt kilos de truffes ont été vendus mardi à des professionnels, à des prix oscillant entre 400 et 650 euros le kg, lors du seizième marché officiel de Lalbenque (Lot), au coeur du Quercy.

Un total de 40 paniers de "diamant noir" ont été proposés, uniquement aux professionnels.

[Neilikka]

Raztapo dear! A lot of hugs and kisses for you from me! I am the one of those who are "very much addicted to this activity and don't fear to go 200 kms from the town if they have heard mushrooms have grown in that or this region."
I adore the very process to gather mushrooms, to walk in the autumn forest in sunny weather. Of course, the results of my forest walkings are very valuable, too. I like mushroom soup with sour cream very much!http://www.daler.ru/pictures/nature/mushroom/ke60044g1y1bxr9gitkb10dabnr6bs77_1.jpg

[statajack]

I doubt it's row if you buy them :-) Maybe they are salten or in marinade...

I like gathering mushrooms and do this often :-) But I don't like to eat them :(
I am curious if it is used in Canada to collect mushroms in forests??

Fresh and raw mushrooms, mostly the "champignon" variety as known in Russia, finely sliced, are quite common in salads in the Channel Islands also. I like them both raw and cooked. :rolleyes:

[alpine-frolic]

We prepare them cut in parts at stove with vegetable oil, just adding parsley, garlic, salt and very little bit of pepper.
Some prefer in omelet...

[alpine-frolic]

Fresh and raw mushrooms, mostly the "champignon" variety as known in Russia, finely sliced, are quite common in salads in the Channel Islands also. I like them both raw and cooked. :rolleyes:
Here we do the same , raws in salad with the white 'champignon de Paris', grown in caves.
But it exists the wild variety that grows at spring in the lawn fields, biggest and cream coloured we prepare at frying pan.

[statajack]

Here we do the same , raws in salad with the white 'champignon de Paris', grown in caves.
But it exists the wild variety that grows at spring in the lawn fields, biggest and cream coloured we prepare at frying pan.

Yes the white "champignon de Paris", that's the one. A great and versatile mushroom. Because of the lack of caves here, they are grown in any dark and damp place. Some people grow them in trays in cellars under the house. This is probably the most commonly available mushroom in the local supermarkets.

[Sveta's Hero]

I doubt it's row if you buy them :-) Maybe they are salten or in marinade...

I like gathering mushrooms and do this often :-) But I don't like to eat them :(
I am curious if it is used in Canada to collect mushroms in forests??

Yes, they are raw mushrooms.
http://www.rollandfarms.com/english/essex-mushrooms/mushroom-faq/faq.jpg

[Neilikka]

But those champignons which also can be bought in Russian supermarkets can't give you that pleasure as mushrooms gathered by you yourself. The very process of gathering them is the main point in eating mushrooms. Moreover, they don't have that good flavor as mushrooms from the forest.Only compare these bought champignons which are like potatoes for you


http://dddkursk.ru/image/child/000392.1.jpg

[Neilikka]

And the mushrooms which you remember where you found it, how it looked, how happy you were at that moment!

http://www.kuharka.ru/_gallery/img2/1189031011_19946.jpg

[Lucker]

I believe that child will growup with Penis Envy --- see Freud if you do not understand .,

[Neilikka]

Unfortunately, I understand you. It would be better if I didn't.:bathbaby:

[jimsan]

Mushrooms are magic !!!

[jimsan]

By the way, I HATE the taste of mushrooms.

Horrible things.

How on earth did anyone discover that they were edible. (to some)

[Neilikka]

http://rl.foto.radikal.ru/0709/81/b23744431d95.jpg


I assure you that this mushroom soup tastes no worse than borsch!

[Lucker]

Oh my God ! Is it that bad ?





:yo::yo:

[Neilikka]

No, it isn't! It isn't vegetable soup, but while cooking it we don't use cats and dogs to get a good broth, calm down. Cats and dogs are safe and sound!
And fried mushrooms as a main dish is awesome, believe me!



http://www.good-cook.ru/foto/vtoroe/064-2.jpg

[jimsan]

I get the boak just looking at it !!:faint2:

[alpine-frolic]

I believe that child will growup with Penis Envy --- see Freud if you do not understand .,
It seems to me that Freud was the 1st to trust that all passed on his mind passed so on all others mind.

[alpine-frolic]

I get the boak just looking at it !!:faint2:

You'll never win trying disgusting me about mushrooms, snails and frog legs!
In my side i never tried the : panse de brebis farcie.

[Lucker]

Alpenis
you seem to have forgotten two of the greatest ever villains and charlatans --- Jesus of Nazareth and Karl Marx .

[alpine-frolic]

Alpenis
you seem to have forgotten two of the greatest ever villains and charlatans --- Jesus of Nazareth and Karl Marx .

They are in my heart, better they are my heart and my mind, my only purpose in life!
I trust in them more than in myself and dont take care of devils words.
Ah... i forbidden to say: !!!! the antechrist!

[alpine-frolic]

They are in my heart, better they are my heart and my mind, my only purpose in life!
I trust in them more than in myself and dont take care of devils words.
Ah... i forbidden to say: !!!! the antechrist!

!!!!=foock

[alpine-frolic]

Ramon con melon, i prefer when you talk about Fredddie and Fannie, Northern rock and real estate in your country.
Historians are a lot short about that 100 years war...