Hi there! Today we are going to discuss morel mushroom hunting.

Morel mushrooms are unique-looking mushrooms that have been growing in popularity over recent years.

Think of it like this, this is equivalent to easter egg hunting for adults if you want my opinion.

I think they are delicious. But how do we locate these unique mushrooms. Especially in Oklahoma?

Well, there is only a short window of time in early to mid-spring. But we will get into that later.

 

Without further ado, let’s go morel mushroom hunting!

 

 

For more information on Morel’s please check out the great morel. I love their information regarding this. Here is a link to their website.

 

 

 

Morel Mushroom Hunting 101: Be prepared to go on a whim.

 

For many years, morel mushrooms were in the exclusive domain of foragers, and it was hard to find them for sale.

However, commercial cultivation has vastly increased over the past decade. Although somewhat hard to find, they can now be found fresh in nations where they grow.

I have the best luck by elm or cedar trees.

The short window in Oklahoma is late March to mid-April. But this is crapshoot.

The mushrooms grow at the base of dying or dead trees and require rain and warming spring temperatures to grow well.

It all depends on if winter wants to linger its ugly head or not.

But nonetheless, this window of time is your best bet.

 

The Appearance

The patterns on the cap look somewhat like honeycomb, and the mushrooms can come in a range of different color tones. For instance, morel mushrooms may have any of the following color shades of color.

 

Let’s take a look.

 

• Black
• Brown
• Cream
• Green
• Grey
• Olive
• Pink
• Yellow

 

As you can tell, this comes in a variety of shades. My advice to you, is to take someone who is well versed on this type of hunting. The last thing you want to do is mistake this for something that could lead to poisoning.

 

Morel Mushrooms vs. False Morels

Let’s get into the important stuff shall we.

Morel mushrooms should only be purchased from qualified farmers’ market vendors and credible specialty markets, and mushroom foraging should only be done with an experienced guide. This is because there is a risk of confusing morels with non-edible imposters, often referred to as “false morels.”

False morels have a similar shape to real morel mushrooms, but the cap is often reddish in color. The cap has a smoother surface with wavy, brain-like veining without the deep pits and honeycomb look of morel cap. False morels are also not hollow.

Do your due diligence and you should be able to find what you’re looking for.

 

How to Cook with Morels

Morels make a great addition to countless dishes, bringing sophistication and finesse to soup, pasta, or a simple sauté.

When working with dried mushrooms, you’ll want to reconstitute them. Simply place the mushrooms in a bowl of hot water so they’re completely submerged and let them soak for 15-20 minutes.

Drain the rehydrated mushrooms—which will be 6 to 8 times the size of their dried state—and be sure to save the flavorful soaking liquid to add to broths.

 

They are great Fried.

Frying is probably the most popular method for how to cook morel mushrooms. Here’s how to do it so you can enjoy them right out of the pan, or on top of burgers or other meaty dishes.

For me, this is the only way to enjoy them.

• Preheat the skillet over medium heat and melt a good chunk of butter. The amount you’ll need depends on how many mushrooms you’re preparing. If needed, you can always add more butter as you go.
• Prep your coating or breading. Some folks swear by just a bit of flour, others by seasoned breadcrumbs. Crushed crackers are a favorite because they’re already seasoned (even if just with salt). Crush the crackers in a zip-top bag and dump them into a bowl.
• Crack a couple of eggs in a separate bowl and beat well.
• Coat the cleaned morels in egg, then crackers, and pop them in the butter-coated skillet. Sauté morel mushrooms about five minutes or until golden brown and crispy. You’ll have everyone reaching for more.

 

That’s it, a pretty simple method. In Oklahoma and the south, pretty much everything is fried anyways. Why not these delicious mushrooms?

So, be prepared go morel mushroom hunting and this will open a brand-new world to you when it comes to the outdoors.

 

 

Thoughts & Takeaways

And that will wrap things up for today. Morel mushroom hunting can be both be challenging and rewarding. Just realize the timing on this is crucial. Come prepared, dial up some recipes, and enjoy the great outdoors. Please share your experiences with morel mushroom hunting in the comment section below.

 

 

 

-CT