collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Morels  (Read 47068 times)

Offline NOCK NOCK

  • Timberdog Slabs
  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2013
  • Posts: 6188
  • Location: E. Wenatchee
  • Timberdog Slab Designs
    • https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063502962432
    • Timberdogslabs.com
Re: Morels
« Reply #105 on: April 13, 2022, 06:37:51 PM »
They're coming up at 1500' just across the river. The thimble caps are pretty much done but there are blonds in the cottonwoods.
How many years have you been picking and where did you learn so much? It seems you are one of  the forum experts thought, I was ahead of the curve and have been out looking but nothing so far  :dunno:
I started foraging around 1990. I learned how to pick matsutake and morels from a friend in the food business while I was selling for Food Services of America. In 2002, I met a Cherokee named Running Squirrel (Earl Aherns/pictured) who'd moved as an infant with his father out to Yakima from the East. When I knew him, he lived in Washougal and was a supplier for an exotic foods company I worked for that shipped wild mushrooms, truffles, weird oils and vinegars, etc., to top chefs all over the country. I went with him on foraging excursions frequently, probably at least 20 weekends a year. He wasn't big on morels but in the Spring, we would forage wild greens and flowers - stinging nettle, mustard flowers and greens, wood violets, miner's lettuce, lemon balm, wood sorrel, wild roses, devil's club shoots, fireweed, and more. Out of these things he made a salad which has been featured in the NYT and the LA Times and was a favorite of these top chefs. We'd start picking porcini in May, lobsters in July, chanterelles in August, and about 8-10 other varieties during the fall.

Earl lived a meager life in an old single-wide with a rotten floor. He ate wild food and canned beans and had about 6 cats to keep the rats down. He'd pick in the rain, heat - didn't matter. I got him a rain suit that he wore for years until it tattered. When he died from lung cancer and a host of other ailments, his POS child molester son didn't let me know even though he knew we were close. I learned a few months later from one of Earl's old girlfriends who's a good friend to this day. I learned most of what I know about foraging from Running Squirrel and am forever grateful.
Sounds like a great guy!  Cool story!  :tup:

 :yeah: very cool story! And a blessing to have known someone like that. Looking forward to getting out and foraging this spring, but looks like it'll be a little while yet. Just had more snow dumped in my good spots this week  :-\

It'll be interesting to see what this snow does to the morel season, as we really have little history to indicate it, at least on the westside. Could the extra nitrogen in snowfall help? Could the cold stop the early season altogether? How will this affect the burns?

I have four inches on the ground 10 minutes west of Yakima. My hope is that the extra moisture helps the crop. If it melts soon and we get some rain in early may could be good.


This  :yeah:

Last year one of my best spots did not produce any. It was a dry spring and the ground/dirt was dry too. I Believe this current weather will be awesome for this year.
Live edge Slab woods, Log Furniture, Beds, Dressers, Tables, Chairs, Custom signs, Décor, Cedar fencing w/artwork cutting. Supplies
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063502962432

Offline OutHouse

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2015
  • Posts: 3054
  • Location: Cowiche WA
  • Department of Foliage, Lifetime Member
Re: Morels
« Reply #106 on: April 14, 2022, 03:31:16 PM »
They're coming up at 1500' just across the river. The thimble caps are pretty much done but there are blonds in the cottonwoods.
How many years have you been picking and where did you learn so much? It seems you are one of  the forum experts thought, I was ahead of the curve and have been out looking but nothing so far  :dunno:
I started foraging around 1990. I learned how to pick matsutake and morels from a friend in the food business while I was selling for Food Services of America. In 2002, I met a Cherokee named Running Squirrel (Earl Aherns/pictured) who'd moved as an infant with his father out to Yakima from the East. When I knew him, he lived in Washougal and was a supplier for an exotic foods company I worked for that shipped wild mushrooms, truffles, weird oils and vinegars, etc., to top chefs all over the country. I went with him on foraging excursions frequently, probably at least 20 weekends a year. He wasn't big on morels but in the Spring, we would forage wild greens and flowers - stinging nettle, mustard flowers and greens, wood violets, miner's lettuce, lemon balm, wood sorrel, wild roses, devil's club shoots, fireweed, and more. Out of these things he made a salad which has been featured in the NYT and the LA Times and was a favorite of these top chefs. We'd start picking porcini in May, lobsters in July, chanterelles in August, and about 8-10 other varieties during the fall.

Earl lived a meager life in an old single-wide with a rotten floor. He ate wild food and canned beans and had about 6 cats to keep the rats down. He'd pick in the rain, heat - didn't matter. I got him a rain suit that he wore for years until it tattered. When he died from lung cancer and a host of other ailments, his POS child molester son didn't let me know even though he knew we were close. I learned a few months later from one of Earl's old girlfriends who's a good friend to this day. I learned most of what I know about foraging from Running Squirrel and am forever grateful.
Sounds like a great guy!  Cool story!  :tup:

 :yeah: very cool story! And a blessing to have known someone like that. Looking forward to getting out and foraging this spring, but looks like it'll be a little while yet. Just had more snow dumped in my good spots this week  :-\

It'll be interesting to see what this snow does to the morel season, as we really have little history to indicate it, at least on the westside. Could the extra nitrogen in snowfall help? Could the cold stop the early season altogether? How will this affect the burns?

I have four inches on the ground 10 minutes west of Yakima. My hope is that the extra moisture helps the crop. If it melts soon and we get some rain in early may could be good.


This  :yeah:

Last year one of my best spots did not produce any. It was a dry spring and the ground/dirt was dry too. I Believe this current weather will be awesome for this year.

Same. I had a place where I picked well over five pounds in less than an hour (and left a significant amount for next years spore) but then last year there was almost nothing. Just not enough water during the spring.

Over Christmas we took some frozen ones and fried them up real crisp and then added them to sausage gravy for biscuits and gravy. It was a hit!

Offline NOCK NOCK

  • Timberdog Slabs
  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2013
  • Posts: 6188
  • Location: E. Wenatchee
  • Timberdog Slab Designs
    • https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063502962432
    • Timberdogslabs.com
Re: Morels
« Reply #107 on: April 14, 2022, 05:18:29 PM »
We Dehydrate them yearly. They reconstitute really close to fresh condition.
Live edge Slab woods, Log Furniture, Beds, Dressers, Tables, Chairs, Custom signs, Décor, Cedar fencing w/artwork cutting. Supplies
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063502962432

Offline pianoman9701

  • Mushroom Man
  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 42821
  • Location: Vancouver USA
  • WWC, NRA Life, WFW, NAGR, RMEF, WSB, NMLS #2014743
    • www.facebook.com/johnwallacemortgage
    • Apply for a loan
Re: Morels
« Reply #108 on: April 15, 2022, 07:11:32 AM »
We Dehydrate them yearly. They reconstitute really close to fresh condition.

Dehydrating concentrates the flavor. A lot of chefs prefer them to fresh because of shelf life. The one thing to be careful of is moth larvae.
"Restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens based on the actions of criminals and madmen will have no positive effect on the future acts of criminals and madmen. It will only serve to reduce individual rights and the very security of our republic." - Pianoman

Offline NOCK NOCK

  • Timberdog Slabs
  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2013
  • Posts: 6188
  • Location: E. Wenatchee
  • Timberdog Slab Designs
    • https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063502962432
    • Timberdogslabs.com
Re: Morels
« Reply #109 on: April 15, 2022, 05:55:29 PM »
We Dehydrate them yearly. They reconstitute really close to fresh condition.

Dehydrating concentrates the flavor. A lot of chefs prefer them to fresh because of shelf life. The one thing to be careful of is moth larvae.


Is that something that happens if not stored airtight?   More protein  :chuckle:
Live edge Slab woods, Log Furniture, Beds, Dressers, Tables, Chairs, Custom signs, Décor, Cedar fencing w/artwork cutting. Supplies
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063502962432

Offline NOCK NOCK

  • Timberdog Slabs
  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2013
  • Posts: 6188
  • Location: E. Wenatchee
  • Timberdog Slab Designs
    • https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063502962432
    • Timberdogslabs.com
Re: Morels
« Reply #110 on: April 15, 2022, 06:06:35 PM »
Dehydrated morels with elk backstrap for dinner tonight  :drool:
Live edge Slab woods, Log Furniture, Beds, Dressers, Tables, Chairs, Custom signs, Décor, Cedar fencing w/artwork cutting. Supplies
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063502962432

Offline pianoman9701

  • Mushroom Man
  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 42821
  • Location: Vancouver USA
  • WWC, NRA Life, WFW, NAGR, RMEF, WSB, NMLS #2014743
    • www.facebook.com/johnwallacemortgage
    • Apply for a loan
Re: Morels
« Reply #111 on: April 16, 2022, 09:46:57 AM »
We Dehydrate them yearly. They reconstitute really close to fresh condition.

Dehydrating concentrates the flavor. A lot of chefs prefer them to fresh because of shelf life. The one thing to be careful of is moth larvae.


Is that something that happens if not stored airtight?   More protein  :chuckle:

It's difficult to store dried morels completely airtight because it can crush them. Be careful to just suck a little air out of the bag.
"Restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens based on the actions of criminals and madmen will have no positive effect on the future acts of criminals and madmen. It will only serve to reduce individual rights and the very security of our republic." - Pianoman

Offline Buck Rub Jr

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 644
  • Location: Wetside
Re: Morels
« Reply #112 on: April 16, 2022, 10:47:40 AM »
Puyallup shrooms on the job
They is where you aint and you aint where they is.

Offline Norman89

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2016
  • Posts: 1827
  • Location: Morton
  • Proud holder of 110 Zardos points!
Re: Morels
« Reply #113 on: April 16, 2022, 01:19:28 PM »
Score didn't even have to go looking! Just spent the last 2 hours stomping around the woods with my 6 year old we didn't find a dang thing

Offline ducks4days

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Apr 2021
  • Posts: 438
  • Location: Ravensdale
Re: Morels
« Reply #114 on: April 16, 2022, 07:59:12 PM »
Elevation?
What country can preserve it's liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon & pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants.

Offline Tenkara

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 838
Re: Morels
« Reply #115 on: April 23, 2022, 03:53:03 PM »
I managed to find 22 today in gmu 667.

Offline Igottanewknee

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2012
  • Posts: 1290
  • Location: Tacoma
Re: Morels
« Reply #116 on: April 28, 2022, 03:51:56 PM »
Anybody finding any on the east side yet?

Offline mcrawfordaf

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2019
  • Posts: 523
  • Location: East Side
  • PF, RGS, INWWC, SBDA, NWTF
Re: Morels
« Reply #117 on: April 28, 2022, 04:18:48 PM »
Anybody finding any on the east side yet?
Not for me. But I'm not that good at finding em to be fair. Looking around 2200-3000 elevation on an old burn

Offline NOCK NOCK

  • Timberdog Slabs
  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2013
  • Posts: 6188
  • Location: E. Wenatchee
  • Timberdog Slab Designs
    • https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063502962432
    • Timberdogslabs.com
Re: Morels
« Reply #118 on: April 28, 2022, 04:49:19 PM »
still a few weeks early
Live edge Slab woods, Log Furniture, Beds, Dressers, Tables, Chairs, Custom signs, Décor, Cedar fencing w/artwork cutting. Supplies
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063502962432

Offline OutHouse

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2015
  • Posts: 3054
  • Location: Cowiche WA
  • Department of Foliage, Lifetime Member
Re: Morels
« Reply #119 on: April 28, 2022, 05:03:56 PM »
I'm gonna check this weekend here in Central WA but I think mid May the bloom will happen. We've got excellent precipitation so hoping for a good year. If I get out I'll report elevation and results etc.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Let’s see your best Washington buck by high_hunter
[Yesterday at 10:31:08 PM]


Bearpaw Season - Spring 2024 by actionshooter
[Yesterday at 09:43:51 PM]


Walked a cougar down by MADMAX
[Yesterday at 08:31:53 PM]


Which 12” boat trailer tires? by timberhunter
[Yesterday at 08:22:18 PM]


Lowest power 22 round? by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 08:06:13 PM]


1x scopes vs open sights by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 07:29:35 PM]


Long Beach Clamming Tides by Encore 280
[Yesterday at 05:16:00 PM]


WTS Suppressors I Can Get by dreadi
[Yesterday at 03:30:33 PM]


SB 5444 signed by Inslee on 03/26 Takes Effect on 06/06/24 by Longfield1
[Yesterday at 03:27:51 PM]


Straight on by kentrek
[Yesterday at 03:04:53 PM]


2024-2026 Hunting Season Proposals by trophyhunt
[Yesterday at 01:51:40 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal