Last Sunday we got up early (about 6:30...which is early for us on the weekends!) and headed out towards the Oregon Coast Range to do some mushroom hunting. We were specifically headed out to find
Chanterelles which we successfully harvested in the same area last fall. We were a little concerned that we were too early this year (last year I think we went around the 2nd weekend in October) but fortunately we found them again and made it home with a great haul - 10 LBS of Chanterelles! I won't tell you exactly where we found them (a good lil' mushroom hunter never does!) but I will tell you that we had to get up to about 2500' before we started harvesting. You want to get up high and then you'll find them near dead trees or piles of twigs tucked into the moss.
Thor and I have had mushrooms for dinner 4 nights in a row now. They are quite delicious sauteed up in a little butter (okay - a LOT of butter), some
Marsala and a little salt & pepper.
This map gives you an idea of the area I mean when I say the Oregon Coast Range.
View Larger MapThor with one of our harvested bags of Chanterelles on the trail (happy dogs Laea & Annie in the background....unfortunately they are not as helpful as
truffle pigs
...more like mushroom crushers!)
A close up of the second bag of our haul. It did take quite a while for us to clean them all! Next year we will be more careful about brushing them off while we're picking them.
I am so totally jealous!!! Haven't had a Chanterelle since Jackson Hole. Great photos, fun adventure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your Chanterelles - just delicious! I'm volunteering to go Chanterelle hunting with you next year - my lips will be sealed about the location :-)!
ReplyDeleteNice haul! Though next time you should try cutting the mushroom at the stem base. Not only are they easier to clean later but you wont dammage the delicate root system underground.
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