What we found in our garden
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382068)
Rockingham, Australia
August 16, 2021 6:16pm CST
We found some funny-looking fungi in the tiny garden at the front of our new house. They are growing in woodchip mulch. Vince put a photo up on FB and it seems they are morel mushrooms and are prized by chefs. We wouldn’t be brave enough to try eating these until we’ve had them checked out by someone who knows a lot about edible fungi.
A friend’s advice was to leave them in the hope that they’ll produce more next year so that’s what we’re doing. On googling them, it seems there is a great number of species of Morchella. They are 90% water, 5% carbohydrates, 3% protein, and 1% fat. They are also a rich source of iron, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamin D.
So, are you familiar with morel mushrooms? And do you use them in cooking?
34 people like this
38 responses
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
17 Aug 21
For a second there, I thought I was looking at what was left of my brain! haha
7 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135744)
• Marion, Ohio
17 Aug 21
I love them when I can find them. They are very finicky about where they grow. So pick a couple, shake them right there to spread the spores and get them checked to be sure. Than enjoy. Hopefully they come back for you next year
5 people like this
@sallypup (69176)
• Centralia, Washington
17 Aug 21
YUM. Memories boil up as I look at your Morel mushroom photo. Memories of walking with Laddy dog underneath cottonwood trees, swampy ground. I'd find those morels and dump them into a bread bag, bring them to the farmhouse kitchen. Dad would soak them in salt water to get rid of the bugs then we'd fry them in butter and eggs. Oh wow. Joy.
5 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
17 Aug 21
My parents picked morel mushrooms every year, they are absolutely delicious! First he would cut them in half (top to bottom) and rinse them well in water. The reason, because certain bugs crawl up inside them, plus they tend to have sand or dirt on them. Roll them in a tiny bit of flour, salt&pepper, then brown them in butter. Yummy! If you cut them off leave the roots in the ground. Then, they will come up every year in the same place:)
6 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
17 Aug 21
@JudyEv Oh yes, they are delicious. Mom use to fry them in the morning, along with scrambled eggs:)
4 people like this
@allknowing (153530)
• India
17 Aug 21
I would not risk eating them. We too see some growth around here.
4 people like this
@allknowing (153530)
• India
17 Aug 21
@JudyEv Some have good knowledge and they enjoy what they see in their gardens but not me.
4 people like this
@averygirl72 (38848)
• Philippines
17 Aug 21
First time to see a mushroom like this. Check first if they are not poisonous
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
17 Aug 21
I have heard of them but don't think I have ever cooked with them but I do love most mushrooms.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (502439)
• Italy
17 Aug 21
Real morel mushrooms are something I really love, but I would not dare to pick up those that grow in the garden because their toxic copy is so similar that I am not sure I would recognize it from the real one.
All the good ones I have bought were darker and more brownish.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174430)
• United States
17 Aug 21
Yes, I know morel mushrooms and they are delicious! I soak them overnight in a bowl of saltwater. The next day I slice them thickly then dip them in milk and eggs (mixed together) then dredge them through a mixture of flour, pepper, powdered garlic and onion powder before frying them in hot butter. Pretty eats them as fast as I can fry them up... I always have to remind her to leave some for me.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174430)
• United States
17 Aug 21
@JudyEv If you like mushrooms, you'll love morels!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382068)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Aug 21
@DaddyEvil They didn't have any in our shop today but I'll keep looking.
2 people like this
@kasmakarim (1932)
• Indonesia
17 Aug 21
A mushroom? I thought it was a stone like the crystal thinggy that popular on tiktok
4 people like this
@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
17 Aug 21
No, and with mushrooms, I stick with what I know, more so especially in wild. I like the earthy taste of button mushrooms & shiitake mushrooms.
3 people like this
@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
18 Aug 21
@JudyEv
Ok, as long as you know, it's safe to eat.
1 person likes this
@jobelbojel (36796)
• Philippines
17 Aug 21
This is an odd looking mushroom. Not familiar with the morel mushrooms.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (40029)
• Toccoa, Georgia
17 Aug 21
I have heard of them but not tried them.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (91086)
• United States
17 Aug 21
That's a very interesting looking mushroom. I've never seen them or eaten them. Maybe you will have a money making mushroom site going there.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (91086)
• United States
18 Aug 21
@JudyEv it certainly would be a good way to work from home
1 person likes this
@Fleura (35008)
• United Kingdom
17 Aug 21
@JudyEv Many of your commenters seem to think they are delicious. I have never tried any. I have tried various other fungi (I used to forage from the hospital grounds in my lunch-break, when I worked there and before most of the land got turned into car parking) but now I am the only member of my family who likes mushrooms, so I have mostly given up.
2 people like this
