Foragers... what's in your basket?

[Mobile Chicane]

I went down to the woods today in search of 'shrooms. Nothing.

I suspect it's been too dry, however every cloud and all that... masses of chestnuts.

What do you have?

[Mr Pies]

I did exactly the same last weem MC, went for shrooms but found nothing!

Got some chestnuts, but don't think they were ripe, as when I cooked them they seemed to be full of nothing but air?

[Mobile Chicane]

They 'should' be ripe.

I'm fussy and only ever pick the plumpest kernels from pods that have recently fallen. The heavier they are, the better.

[Hoover.]

We have a bloke who does foraging trips etc near us, I keep meaning to to go on one of his mornings

Given me some more inspiration that I should do...... given the season I think it is the right time to go... as he does hunting as well

[krallicious]

Walnuts and schrooms (well last year anyhow). Just have not had the time to go foraging this year

[Tanguero]

Ceps on toast for breakfast this morning - foraged from the lawn!

[markreilly]

Tanguero said:

Ceps on toast for breakfast this morning - foraged from the lawn!

Psilocybin omlette for breakfast this morning - foraged from the lawn, hey man !

[Simpo Two]

Mostly dandelions and laburnum seedlings on the Simpo Estates...

[Mobile Chicane]

Simpo Two said:

Mostly dandelions and laburnum seedlings on the Simpo Estates...

What do you do with laburnum seedlings?

[DoctorX]

Mobile Chicane said:

What do you do with laburnum seedlings?

Feel very unwell presumably if you eat them, poisonous aren't they?

[Simpo Two]

Mobile Chicane said:

Simpo Two said:

Mostly dandelions and laburnum seedlings on the Simpo Estates...

What do you do with laburnum seedlings?

Give them to the children.



It's much quieter now...

[tenex]

There are still some chanterelles in the woods up here. The first frost put paid to the rest of the fungi but it has been a good year.
Poor year for brambles and hazel/chestnuts never really come to anything.
Any amount of all sorts of game now and a short jawed lamb (rejected from the sale) is growing well.

[SwanJack]

Picked a decent load of plump chestnuts yesterday, the odd one was just about edible, most were bitter . They were definitely ripe as the prickly casings were bursting open. More around than last year though.

[Mobile Chicane]

Oooh - result!

A decent sized porcini (it was under a tree on the driveway), and 16 crayfish!

[dmitsi]

Very nice, we collected a couple of tubs of blackberries today. Couple of crumbles made, and the rest is going to be made into jam and blackberry vodka.

[SVX]

Mobile Chicane said:

Oooh - result!

A decent sized porcini (it was under a tree on the driveway), and 16 crayfish!

My absolute favourite fungi. Destined for some nice pasta?

[Mobile Chicane]

SVX said:

Mobile Chicane said:

Oooh - result!

A decent sized porcini (it was under a tree on the driveway), and 16 crayfish!

My absolute favourite fungi. Destined for some nice pasta?

I was going to grill the crayfish in their shells, drizzled with the porcini fried in butter.

If I can find some cob nuts tomorrow, I'll toast those and sprinkle them over as a garnish. I find porcini has a slightly 'hazelnutty' taste which I think a few cob nuts will augment.

To garlic, or not to garlic? Crayfish have quite a subtle flavour, and I'm concerned about drowning it out.

[SVX]

Always to garlic, preferably smoked or black, will add a wonderfully subtle note to what sounds like a most agreeable creation. Might I suggest some finely cubed pancetta-esque pork products too.

[Mobile Chicane]

SVX said:

Always to garlic, preferably smoked or black, will add a wonderfully subtle note to what sounds like a most agreeable creation. Might I suggest some finely cubed pancetta-esque pork products too.

Thanks

I'll give that a go.

[vladcjelli]

dmitsi said:

Very nice, we collected a couple of tubs of blackberries today. Couple of crumbles made, and the rest is going to be made into jam and blackberry vodka.

Ditto on the 'berries and crumble.

Might have to give the drinks a spin from the next collection.