How to identify mushrooms. I get a lot of requests for more information mushroom identification, so i've started with this post to show GardenFork readers different mushrooms I run across in the woods and in the city.
The Giant Puffball can be a common site in urban areas. You might see these large white balls that look like they are from another planet appearing on your lawn, or in a park or meadow. Puffballs like this are common on the East Coast, I've also seen them in the Midwest.
The Puffball Mushroom in the photo here is one I found in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York. It was growing on the edge of a meadow near some trees.
Puffballs such as this are generally edible, though double check with several references and experts before getting out your knife and fork. I have found them to taste underwhelming, kinda like tofu. So maybe you can use them in a stir fry or saute with other vegetables, or in a soup.
Homesteaders, Urban Homesteaders, Foragers: Let me know how you cook puffballs.
Giant Puffball Mushroom part of the GardenFork Mushroom Identification series
Matt Anderson
hi eirc, i have a book by michael kou (100 edible mushrooms) and he says that the sooner you get used to the fact that puffballs should be treated like eggplant the happier you'll be. we've made puff ball parm before and pan fry them too. both are a good choice for sure. also, because they do not dry or freeze well, try making a stock or soup with them. for example we make cream of leak and puff ball soup, then freeze the leftovers.
for identification and learning try having any of your listeners or followers join NYMA, MHMA, or COMA. this past weekend there was a joint MHMA/COMA walk in hyde park, ny and next week there is a joint NYMA/MHMA walk (in peekskill i think). MHMA has a facebook page. you can find more info there.
Eric J.
Since foraging mushrooms can potentially be deadly I would like to make a suggestion for further mushroom foraging posts. Please take and post a picture of the underside and stem. It will act as an additional resource for readers to help identify the mushrooms.
Eric J.
Eric Gunnar Rochow
good points matt and eric.
for the puffball, i couldn't get too close because i only had my iphone camera, and it doesn't do close ups very well.
i like the analogy of puffballs to eggplant. i have yet to master eggplant...
thx, eri c
Jim Willeford
just starting to study the edibles and NOT so much. Did find a big patch of shaggy parasols in my back yard. And puffballs in my dude ya d this ftrrnoom. Do puffballs some time have slightly off toward light tan color. Are to pecks his g the part user to puffballs.
Thanks....jim
Eric Gunnar Rochow
good to hear Jim, puffballs can be edible, but I've found their taste underwhelming. thx! eric.