Intrepid Mushroomers

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I managed to get up a bit earlier and being sunny again, we decided to go mushrooming. Pippi and Quin have become avid mushroomers after doing a course at the Bamfield mushroom festival. We took the boat to West Bamfield and set off in our gum boots. We had only gone over the hill when we got lucky. Quin, with his eagle eye, spotted a patch of golden chanterelles growing under some ferns near the roadside. This turned out to be the pick of the day. Particularly as these are the yummiest mushrooms, with a creamy taste and smooth, firm texture. Next we headed into the woods. It is getting towards the end of the mushroom season but we managed to stumble on quite a few patches. We climbed over spongy, mossy logs and in the damp, earthy spots we found many mushrooms, particularly winter chanterelles. This is a small brown mushroom with a hole from the top through the stalk, like a trumpet. Pippi and Quin also pointed out the poisonous mushrooms, with me hoping their mushrooming skills are good! We also picked a few orange milk caps, distinguishable from the poisonous variety by the orange milk in them as opposed to white. Along the way, Quin accidentally touched and amanita mushroom which is highly poisonous. These look like the classic toadstool and the less toxic version in Europe is licked by people for the hallucinogenic effect, hence where fairies and gnomes were dreamt up! However, the North American version is highly toxic and having touched one Quin had to continue picking with his left hand as his right hand would contaminate the other mushrooms.

By sunset we had quite a stash and headed back to the boat as a fog started to descend. Navigating the boat back in the foggy darkness was quite a challenge for Pippi but thankfully her boating skills are a lot better then her driving! Once back at the house we set about sorting and cleaning the mushrooms which is quite a task. Pippi fried each variety in butter and we spent the evening eating and comparing mushroom varieties. It was a mighty fine dinner, particularly because we picked it ourselves. And it was nicely topped off with walnut and maple syrup icecream.

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Photos

Quin sampling a mushroom
This one is actually poisonous!

Mushroom Picking
The experts at work!

Mushroom Sorting and Cleaning
what we'll do for food!

Comments

[Darwin Chiong]

I'm Sooooooo Envious
I love mushrooms. That's a big one that Quin is attempting to eat. He he he he he he! Question: Are Pip and Quin based in Canada already? Or just vacationing or doing research for work? Hmmmmm.....