Any Wild Mushroom Experts Here?

[Wedunne]

We discovered these growing under our pluot tree this morning. They look like morel mushrooms, but we have never encountered them before. So I have questions:

1. Are these safe to eat? Is there a fool-proof way to make sure they're not imposters?
2. If they are the real deal, what should we do with them?
3. If we leave them alone, will they establish themselves and keep growing, or is this a fleeting thing?

We're pretty excited about this, but kinda scared, too.

[Wedunne]

I told my wife there's one sure way to tell if they are morels or not. I told her to come out here at night when there's a full moon, and if the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a morel.

She told me I'm going to hell.

[Sid P]

You got off easy.

[tbob4]

That is awful! It should go into the joke section. I’m still laughing

[Murdy]

She's probably right!

[JohnPaul]

They look legit. Cut them in half long ways if they are hollow and the cap is connected to the stem they should be good.

[Donw]

+1

[58limited]

They look like morels. Cut one in half. Morels are hollow all the way through. Here is more info: https://www.mushroom-appreciation.co...-mushroom.html

Also: You lucky dog! Wish they grew in my area.

They like hardwood ares and really like burned over areas. You might consider dumping some of your BBQ ashes in the area that you found them.

Here is a good prep method. 4:20 goes into identification a little bit:

[Michael Brinton]

They'll be back each spring. Awesome find! Keep it secret...

[Oakgrovebacon]

Cut in half-soak In salted water for an hour-rinse well. Let water drain off then dunk in egg wash. Coat with seasoned flour or fine cracker crumbs. Fry in a skillet with oil or butter till Browned flip over and brown other side. Enjoy! (Hopefully you will find a few more-takes 6-8 for a good plate full)

[Wedunne]

Thanks everyone! I'll let you know what the outcome is when we try them. If you never hear from me again, you'll know what happened!

[58limited]

Pictures when you cook them please

[Murdy]

As has been said, cut them in half and see if they're hollow. The few morel look-a-likes (and in my opinion, you'd have to be pretty dense to confuse them) are not hollow. Mushrooms are the fruiting body of a larger organism (the mycelium). The mushrooms emerge and release spores. Picking them will not hurt the mycelium and they often will come back in the same area. If I just have a couple, I like to chop them up and put them in scrambled eggs (old family tradition). Otherwise, batter and fry.

Here's a good overview (with a picture of the look-a-like): https://americanmushrooms.com/morels.htm

[Wedunne]

Great information, thanks!

[Rob whatever]

Since they are hollow, little critters like to crawl in them. I’ve found many little bugs in store-bought versions. I sauté them in butter until soft and then deglaze with Madeira and beef, veal or chicken stock. Swirl in some butter and season to taste. Love to serve with steak. The Madeira is a classic combo for morels and it adds some sweet, smokey flavor that works with with the earthy taste of the shrooms.

[Wedunne]

Thanks for the suggestion. Just to clarify, you saute the mushrooms, not the bugs, right?

[Rob whatever]

You would think it was the bugs based on the way I wrote that. But, indeed, it was the shrooms, although bugs are high in protein and low in fat.

Rob

[texastweeter]

Do they bruise blue?

[Murdy]

Doubt it, but if you find some such shrooms, let me know

[grantgallagher]

Good info and pics here.

https://practicalselfreliance.com/morel-mushrooms/