Thread: Shroomy Weather

When collecting that many pounds, How does one put them up for eating later

I freeze them in water just like fish. After defrosting I put them in a salad spinner to dry. You cant tell the difference from fresh or frozen.

I dont know how to write it but we usta call the oyster mushrooms by their ole Cajun name "chompion"? Which I am told means mushroom. As pictured they are flat and grow on willow trees. Easy to identify the shroom as long as you can identify the willow tree. I was taught that as long as they look like shelfs and grow on willows they are safe. I have picked then several times over the years. They are great sauted and really good fried. My question is how do you store them?? Do they freeze good, or dry em, or can em??? What do ya do with 80 lbs of them. I have seen that many but only ever pick a few cause I dont know how to save them.

Thanks saute, I guess I was typing my question while you guys were posting that answers my question now hope fully it will get dreary again and I will go hunt some up.

I almost went today. It would of been good. I am going to can some on the next batch. Its hard not to freeze them when it doesn't effect their quality. The main problem my freezers are getting small. I always leave a few small ones on each tree to ensure I can pick more after the next rain.

We always usta leave some too and since I pick for just me and the wife now I never took more than a hat full anyways now that you say freeze in water, I'll feel free to put up a few qt bags. I remember popa (grand pa) usta go looking for them when toad stools poped up in the yard. you have enspired me and if its dreary tomorrow I may go take a ride behind the levee

Originally Posted by Cappy

We always usta leave some too and since I pick for just me and the wife now I never took more than a hat full anyways now that you say freeze in water, I'll feel free to put up a few qt bags. I remember popa (grand pa) usta go looking for them when toad stools poped up in the yard. you have enspired me and if its dreary tomorrow I may go take a ride behind the levee

The day or 2 after the front is the best time to go. Sunday and Monday this week should be good. They grow on the southwest side of the tree so walk northeast.

Okay Saute, I recognize them now from the pictures. Have some on the property deep in the woods close to the river after all the rain we have had. Appears they are on the downed pecan trees as well, so still don't know. Ann says she doesn't want to risk it. I figure I ought to listen to her since I'm not sure. I wonder how they would work in a dehydrator - use mine regular for various things. Thanks for the post, enjoy reading about such things.

Originally Posted by Tracker123

Okay Saute, I recognize them now from the pictures. Have some on the property deep in the woods close to the river after all the rain we have had. Appears they are on the downed pecan trees as well, so still don't know. Ann says she doesn't want to risk it. I figure I ought to listen to her since I'm not sure. I wonder how they would work in a dehydrator - use mine regular for various things. Thanks for the post, enjoy reading about such things.

Take close up pics from all sides and send them to me. They grow on dead willow and gum which are soft woods like pecan. They might be oysters. They do dehydrate well. I will be dehydrating and canning some tomorrow after I organize my freezer to see how much more I can freeze.

This is a cool post.