NFN FC 1,123 Posted October 21, 2020 I went for a nice walk in Thetford forest and found quite an abundance of mushrooms. Picked quite a few kilos of Honey Fungus. There was lots of species about and I'm keen to get out again soon to find some more things to eat. I am a complete beginner and just at the stage of researching and identifying some more species. Anyone else interested in this kind of thing? Know any good spots? Have any tips for everyone? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SHRIMPER 328 Posted October 21, 2020 I picked a basket full of parasol mushrooms at Sandringham last weekend. And very tasty they were too. I have picked lots of Wood Blewits there over the years but none so far this year. Need a bit of a cold snap to bring them out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NFN FC 1,123 Posted October 21, 2020 7 minutes ago, SHRIMPER said: I picked a basket full of parasol mushrooms at Sandringham last weekend. And very tasty they were too. I have picked lots of Wood Blewits there over the years but none so far this year. Need a bit of a cold snap to bring them out. There were quite a few of those I saw too! Very big ****s aren't they. Bet that didn't take long to fill your basket! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Real Buh 3,423 Posted October 21, 2020 Be careful with them shrooms lads Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NFN FC 1,123 Posted October 21, 2020 8 minutes ago, The Real Buh said: Be careful with them shrooms lads When I saw your avatar on next to this topic I was expecting "why aren't we mushrooms!?" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SHRIMPER 328 Posted October 21, 2020 39 minutes ago, NFN FC said: There were quite a few of those I saw too! Very big ****s aren't they. Bet that didn't take long to fill your basket! I take the ones that are halfway through their life cycles. I always find they taste the best. Fried in Garlic and butter and Olive oil served on toast, nothing better after an early morning walk. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FenwayFrank 2,457 Posted October 21, 2020 I wish I had the confidence to try it, I’m happy to pick fruit and collected some chestnuts a couple of days ago, but wouldn’t do mushrooms without some more knowledge. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NFN FC 1,123 Posted October 21, 2020 There's some good videos from Wild food UK that I've been watching that really help with identifying mushrooms. It is quite scary at first! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rock The Boat 1,325 Posted October 21, 2020 Been foraging for sloes to make sloe gin. Marinade for a year before bottling up for consumption. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,717 Posted October 21, 2020 We have loads of sloe tress at work but something has cleared them up already. Shame as sloe gin is nice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SHRIMPER 328 Posted October 21, 2020 3 hours ago, FenwayFrank said: I wish I had the confidence to try it, I’m happy to pick fruit and collected some chestnuts a couple of days ago, but wouldn’t do mushrooms without some more knowledge. A good wild mushroom to start with is the Shaggy Ink Cap...also known as Lawyers Wigs. Very easy to identify. They are also nice on toast. The Common Ink Cap looks very similar but have a smooth skinned cap to them. They are edible but not if you have taken alcohol. They make you sick if you have had a drop. A small book on Mycology with coloured plates should always go with you on a forage. And do not eat anything you are not 100% with. Shaggies grow where soil has been disturbed along roads. Got a good feed along the old road out of Castle Rising village about 3 weeks ago just before you get to the stretch know as onion corner. So named because the wild garlic that grows there. That is also good for foraging. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SHRIMPER 328 Posted October 21, 2020 Shaggy and Common 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NFN FC 1,123 Posted October 21, 2020 I saw some of the shaggies near me a few days ago. I'll give them a shot! Thanks Shrimper you're such a fun-guy! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SHRIMPER 328 Posted October 21, 2020 Dont forget to cut the stalks and not pull them up. Please leave the mycelium in the soil to keep growing. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SHRIMPER 328 Posted October 21, 2020 44 minutes ago, NFN FC said: I saw some of the shaggies near me a few days ago. I'll give them a shot! Thanks Shrimper you're such a fun-guy! Cant quite remember when I first heard that one NFN but I think it was about 1950 ish 😀 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NFN FC 1,123 Posted October 22, 2020 Spotted this earlier in the garden! Is this Dryad's saddle? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SHRIMPER 328 Posted October 22, 2020 Certainly looks like it. They like growing on poplar trees. Sometimes called Pheasant Backs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NFN FC 1,123 Posted October 22, 2020 9 minutes ago, SHRIMPER said: Certainly looks like it. They like growing on poplar trees. Sometimes called Pheasant Backs. Very strange, it's only supposed to be around in spring/summer. You ever had it Shrimper? Apparently it tastes like watermelon! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SHRIMPER 328 Posted October 22, 2020 You only eat them when very young. I tried one many years ago and did not go back for seconds. The Beefsteak is supposed to be the best of the brackets as as the name suggests they taste like steak. Never tried one myself though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SHRIMPER 328 Posted October 23, 2020 (edited) This is a great little book that I keep in the car. I have several books but this one is just right for fitting in a pocket. The inside and outside of the cover. It is very helpful when out for a walk. For a beginner its good to go on a fungi hunt with an expert. I am a member of the National Trust and they do them on their estates. The nearest to me if Oxburgh Hall. Do not know if they are doing them in these strange times but they always did them about this time of year. Edited October 23, 2020 by SHRIMPER Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nevermind, neoliberalism has had it 159 Posted October 23, 2020 Shaggy ink caps and parasols are best eaten immediately as you come home, they turn to mush within a day. This is a very good year for funghi of all sorts, happy foraging I say. Looking up at trees, you can find medicinal Rishi mushrooms ( not so common) and beefsteak fungus, but the latter taste is something to behold, not my favourite. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wcorkcanary 4,329 Posted October 30, 2020 On 23/10/2020 at 09:47, SHRIMPER said: This is a great little book that I keep in the car. I have several books but this one is just right for fitting in a pocket. The inside and outside of the cover. It is very helpful when out for a walk. For a beginner its good to go on a fungi hunt with an expert. I am a member of the National Trust and they do them on their estates. The nearest to me if Oxburgh Hall. Do not know if they are doing them in these strange times but they always did them about this time of year. That book is required reference for picking edible fungi. If all points are checked , you cant really go wrong,but only if ALL required ref points are satisfied. Scary story..... my uncle, who grew up in Rural Hungary and lived in Uk since 1948 had been foraging mishrooms all his life. When he was in his early sixties, he was negligent in his checks as he'd found 'safe' mushrooms at this particular spot....needless to say he was very ill indeed. Moral of the story .... no matter how experienced you are , always , always , be 100% sure that what you intend to eat, is what you think it is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SHRIMPER 328 Posted October 30, 2020 6 minutes ago, wcorkcanary said: Scary story..... my uncle, who grew up in Rural Hungary and lived in Uk since 1948 had been foraging mishrooms all his life. When he was in his early sixties, he was negligent in his checks as he'd found 'safe' mushrooms at this particular spot....needless to say he was very ill indeed. Moral of the story .... no matter how experienced you are , always , always , be 100% sure that what you intend to eat, is what you think it is. Never a truer word was spoken. I hope to go out tomorrow if it is not to wet and see whats about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Van wink 2,994 Posted October 30, 2020 Liberty Caps popular at Blickling this afternoon, many multicoloured bobble hats spotted. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SHRIMPER 328 Posted October 30, 2020 And if you do not know how to use them you can be in a whole load of trouble. 🤢🤮 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wcorkcanary 4,329 Posted October 30, 2020 10 minutes ago, Van wink said: Liberty Caps popular at Blickling this afternoon, many multicoloured bobble hats spotted. Those bobble hats werent multicoloured Winko. Had you been partaking? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Van wink 2,994 Posted October 30, 2020 30 minutes ago, wcorkcanary said: Those bobble hats werent multicoloured Winko. Had you been partaking? I don’t think they had any bobbles to be honest 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
