Shiitakes, 2nd flush

Altered the path of our hike tonight to check on the shiitake logs again. Despite the dry conditions we were pleased to find another flush ready for harvest. Stir-fry tonight, soup tomorrow.

Chicken-of-the-Woods update: I was all ready to sample what was a very tender and nice looking specimen (pictured a few entries down). I revisited the stump with knife in hand only to find something had eaten all but a nub of it. I was disappointed, but have resolved to find another before the month is out and the prime season is over.

“Sorry Charlie”

While out in the woods Sunday and thinking of mushrooms, I stumbled across this edible polypore fungus. Locally called “Chicken of the Woods”. It’s also called a Sulphur Shelf mushroom. After a long drought, we’ve finally got a little rain over the past 2 days. I went back to check on it today and found it had nearly doubled in size. They are considered choice eating. I’ve never yet tried one. In a couple days I’ll probably harvest this one. Likely stir-fry it. And experimentally try a tiny piece. If I were a completely healthy person, maybe I wouldn’t be so cautious. I have to consider the well-documented history of a mildly severe allergic reaction with this species in 5-10% of the general population. I’ll let you know the outcome. Life is risk, eh?