Hunting for Morel Mushrooms
Hunting for Morel Mushrooms
BY DAVID OTTERSTROM
Spring in the Inland Northwest is a wild forager’s dream. An abundance of wild edible greens, edible flowers and the particular pleasure of hunting for spring mushrooms. A favorite spring fungi in the region are morels. I want to share some tips to help you forage this sought after culinary treasure.
Morel mushrooms have a distinct honeycomb looking cap. They range in color from light tan, yellow, gray, to almost black. They usually start appearing here as early as April if the highs are consistently getting in the 60s and there has been some rainfall. Lilac bushes starting to bloom is a good indicator that it is warm enough for morels to grow. You can first start finding them in lower elevations such as near the Spokane River and the foothills throughout the region. Over the weeks as it gets warmer you find them at higher elevations like on and surrounding Mount Spokane into May and June.
People ask and want to know an exact location to find them. Many certainly have their secret spots they believe are somewhat reliable, but it can still be luck of the draw. First of all you just have to get outside more. Many times I have found morels I have been out hiking or looking for something else and lo and behold they were a dazzling prize at my feet. You will get frustrated fast if you go out only to look for them. Stake out the area you are going and make it a fun hike or wildlife exploring adventure. This will keep you enjoying the foraging experience and not give up going on future outings if you do not find any. But with that being said they are often found near the base of decaying trees such as black cottonwood. I find them around ponderosa pine and Douglas fir too. Also seek out burn areas.
It is ideal to go out searching at dawn after a rainstorm. They can look like glowing lanterns on the forest floor when the early morning light hits them just right. You can pick them by pinching them off close to the base of the stem with your fingers or use a pocketknife or scissors. It is an ongoing debate with inconclusive evidence if pulling morels straight out of the ground weakens the mycelium network underneath the soil. Either way I recommend not pulling them straight out because there is dirt at the base of the stems. The dirt can get messy in your collection bag.
It can be helpful to shake them after picking to release spores that will fall to the ground. This increases the chances of morels growing in that area for years to come. You can use a mesh bag or basket to collect in so the spores keep falling as you walk along the forest floor. But even if you prefer to use a bucket the spores will still be able to fall out around the top.
The base of the cap of a morel connects directly to the stem. Morels are also hollow inside when you cut them open. Always make sure to identify correctly. Check multiple identification sources until you know for certain you are picking edible morels. Make sure you are in a location you have permission to forage. Rinse them off before using to clean off any dirt and bugs. Always cook morels before eating and only try a little at first because some people experience digestive upset. Morels have a nutty and earthy flavor to them. I love them simply sautéed in butter with salt and pepper and then mixed in with your favorite pasta or on top of pizza. You can also dry them for later use. Happy foraging!
