Thread: Puffball bonanza!

"Jim Elbrecht" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> This stinkin' weather is good for something after all. I haven't
> stumbled across a giant puffball in years. Found a patch of a dozen
> tonight and brought a 4-5 pounder home.
>
> We saute 'd 1/2 of it for a snack. Damn they're good. I love it
> when something I haven't eaten in years tastes just as good as I
> remember it.
>
> Not sure what I'll do with the rest tomorrow-- or if I'll go back for
> more. There are another 1/2 dozen that will be good for a few days.
>
> I've never frozen any- and have read that drying doesn't work well for
> them.
>
> Anyone have some ideas on how they like theirs, or preservation
> techniques?

What's a puffball?

"Jim Elbrecht" <[email protected]> ha scritto nel messaggio
> This stinkin' weather is good for something after all. I haven't
> stumbled across a giant puffball in years. Found a patch of a dozen
> tonight and brought a 4-5 pounder home.
>
> We saute 'd 1/2 of it for a snack. Damn they're good. I love it
> when something I haven't eaten in years tastes just as good as I
> remember it.
>
> Not sure what I'll do with the rest tomorrow-- or if I'll go back for
> more. There are another 1/2 dozen that will be good for a few days.
>
> I've never frozen any- and have read that drying doesn't work well for
> them.


I am deeply envious. At my farm in the USA there were lots of mushrooms. I
found the best way to preserve them was to clean, cut and oil blanch them by
sautèing, then cool and freeze them.
Some dry fine, but many don't. Freezing them with no cooking can end in
freezer burn or enzymes that turn them to gel surviving the freezing.
By not adding anything at all, they could be used in any dish when thawed.

On Wed, 7 Sep 2011 00:42:51 -0700, Julie Bove wrote:

> "Jim Elbrecht" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]..
>> This stinkin' weather is good for something after all. I haven't
>> stumbled across a giant puffball in years. Found a patch of a dozen
>> tonight and brought a 4-5 pounder home.
>>
>> We saute 'd 1/2 of it for a snack. Damn they're good. I love it
>> when something I haven't eaten in years tastes just as good as I
>> remember it.
>>
>> Not sure what I'll do with the rest tomorrow-- or if I'll go back for
>> more. There are another 1/2 dozen that will be good for a few days.
>>
>> I've never frozen any- and have read that drying doesn't work well for
>> them.
>>
>> Anyone have some ideas on how they like theirs, or preservation
>> techniques?
>
> What's a puffball?

http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Mus...0Puffball.html

I didn't know what they were either but I kinda figured from the context
that they were mushrooms.
My amazing ability to type "puffball" into Google confirmed my thoughts.

TFM®

"TFM®" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:mhtaqbgzuut2.3k1iziy861o1$.[email protected]..
> On Wed, 7 Sep 2011 00:42:51 -0700, Julie Bove wrote:
>
>> "Jim Elbrecht" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]..
>>> This stinkin' weather is good for something after all. I haven't
>>> stumbled across a giant puffball in years. Found a patch of a dozen
>>> tonight and brought a 4-5 pounder home.
>>>
>>> We saute 'd 1/2 of it for a snack. Damn they're good. I love it
>>> when something I haven't eaten in years tastes just as good as I
>>> remember it.
>>>
>>> Not sure what I'll do with the rest tomorrow-- or if I'll go back for
>>> more. There are another 1/2 dozen that will be good for a few days.
>>>
>>> I've never frozen any- and have read that drying doesn't work well for
>>> them.
>>>
>>> Anyone have some ideas on how they like theirs, or preservation
>>> techniques?
>>
>> What's a puffball?
>
> http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Mus...0Puffball.html
>
> I didn't know what they were either but I kinda figured from the context
> that they were mushrooms.
> My amazing ability to type "puffball" into Google confirmed my thoughts.

Ohhhhhh, Okay. Thanks!

TFM® wrote:

> http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Mus...0Puffball.html
>
> I didn't know what they were either but I kinda figured from the
> context that they were mushrooms.

"Finally maturing, trillions of microscopic spores emerge as a puff of dark
brown powder when kids kick the mushroom."
I perfectly remember kicking those mushrooms as a kid, LOL, what a memory...
Unluckily, I never found one as big as a ping pong ball... Italy is not the
right place.
An edible mushroom who's common even here around at just 100 meters above
sea level is Macrolepiota Procera, whose popular name is "mazza di tamburo"
(literally "drumstick"), "parasol mushroom" in english.
I used to pick them when they were about this stage, when the still closed
cap starts to open:
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ma..._procera01.jpg
I still remember those pans of parasol sauteed in oil, garlic, parsley and a
pinch of pepper
--
ViLco
Let the liquor do the thinking

On Wed, 7 Sep 2011 12:18:53 +0200, ViLco wrote:

> TFM® wrote:
>
>> http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Mus...0Puffball.html
>>
>> I didn't know what they were either but I kinda figured from the
>> context that they were mushrooms.
>
> "Finally maturing, trillions of microscopic spores emerge as a puff of dark
> brown powder when kids kick the mushroom."

Aha! You have answered a question I've had for a while.
Sometimes I hit these "things" with the WeedEater that produce a copious
amount of red dust.
Here in south central Floriduh they're not much bigger than a ping pong
ball either.

This time of year (rainy season) we do have other varieties growing up to
about 8" across. Perhaps if I'd get out more I could find a fresh
puffball.


TFM®

On Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:32:35 -0400, Jim Elbrecht <[email protected]>
wrote:

>This stinkin' weather is good for something after all. I haven't
>stumbled across a giant puffball in years. Found a patch of a dozen
>tonight and brought a 4-5 pounder home.
>
>We saute 'd 1/2 of it for a snack. Damn they're good. I love it
>when something I haven't eaten in years tastes just as good as I
>remember it.
>
>Not sure what I'll do with the rest tomorrow-- or if I'll go back for
>more. There are another 1/2 dozen that will be good for a few days.
>
>I've never frozen any- and have read that drying doesn't work well for
>them.
>
>Anyone have some ideas on how they like theirs, or preservation
>techniques?

I had one growing in my yard last year and now again in almost the
same spot there's one even larger... I've no idea what it weighs as
it's still there and even larger now than when I photographed it a
week ago. Last year's just rotted away, I wasn't sure I wanted to
risk eating it... I figure since the critters won't eat it...
Under my huge maple tree:
http://i53.tinypic.com/29cnwie.jpg
That's a 2 gallon watering can:
http://i54.tinypic.com/291fd4k.jpg

If I can only find a woman with breasts like that!

On Sep 6, 5:32*pm, Jim Elbrecht <elbre...@email.com> wrote:
>
> Anyone have some ideas on how they like theirs, or preservation
> techniques?
>
> Jim

We had oodles of these puffballs in Montana. Other than just cooking
them as I would any other mushroom I used to pickle them. Easy enough
to do and they are delicious IF you like pickled mushrooms. Some
batches I made with lots of garlic and pepper flakes, some like dill
pickles and some as I would bread & butter pickles. I would cut them
into about 1 inch cubes and proceed as recipes for button mushroom
caps as instructed. The salty dilled mushrooms are pretty darned good
in a martini. I used to just put them out for dinner or snacks and
they disappeared fast. Here's a pretty good web site that will give
you instructions on canning timing and different ingredients for the
pickling. http://www.food.com/recipe/home-cann...shrooms-238745
Feel free to experiment with herbs and spices of your choice, that's
half the fun.

Boney Apple-tight!
Val

Brooklyn1 wrote:
> On Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:32:35 -0400, Jim Elbrecht <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> This stinkin' weather is good for something after all. I haven't
>> stumbled across a giant puffball in years. Found a patch of a dozen
>> tonight and brought a 4-5 pounder home.
>>
>> We saute 'd 1/2 of it for a snack. Damn they're good. I love it
>> when something I haven't eaten in years tastes just as good as I
>> remember it.
>>
>> Not sure what I'll do with the rest tomorrow-- or if I'll go back for
>> more. There are another 1/2 dozen that will be good for a few days.
>>
>> I've never frozen any- and have read that drying doesn't work well for
>> them.
>>
>> Anyone have some ideas on how they like theirs, or preservation
>> techniques?
>
> I had one growing in my yard last year and now again in almost the
> same spot there's one even larger... I've no idea what it weighs as
> it's still there and even larger now than when I photographed it a
> week ago. Last year's just rotted away, I wasn't sure I wanted to
> risk eating it... I figure since the critters won't eat it...
> Under my huge maple tree:
> http://i53.tinypic.com/29cnwie.jpg
> That's a 2 gallon watering can:
> http://i54.tinypic.com/291fd4k.jpg
>
> If I can only find a woman with breasts like that!
>
Egad! That's enormous. I am envious (I think). I have never
eaten a puffball. I wonder whether there are any poisonous
mushrooms that look like them?

The only ones I have picked in the wild are morels. Well, decades
ago, I was with a mycologist, and we picked and cooked some
boletes, which I recall as being disappointing. Hmmm. I passed
what looked to be sulfur shelves on the way home. Now where WERE
they? I vaguely recall eating those, or something like them, and
that THEY were good.

--
Jean B.

On Sep 7, 2:25*am, TFM® <hornd...@tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
> On Wed, 7 Sep 2011 00:42:51 -0700, Julie Bove wrote:
> > "Jim Elbrecht" <elbre...@email.com> wrote in message
> >news:[email protected]. .
> >> This stinkin' weather is good for something after all. * *I haven't
> >> stumbled across a giant puffball in years. * *Found a patch of a dozen
> >> tonight and brought a 4-5 pounder home.
>
> >> We saute 'd 1/2 of it for a snack. * *Damn they're good. * * Ilove it
> >> when something I haven't eaten in years tastes just as good as I
> >> remember it.
>
> >> Not sure what I'll do with the rest tomorrow-- or if I'll go back for
> >> more. * There are another 1/2 dozen that will be good for a few days..
>
> >> I've never frozen any- and have read that drying doesn't work well for
> >> them.
>
> >> Anyone have some ideas on how they like theirs, or preservation
> >> techniques?
>
> > What's a puffball?
>
> http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Mus...0Puffball.html
>
> I didn't know what they were either but I kinda figured from the context
> that they were mushrooms.
> My amazing ability to type "puffball" into Google confirmed my thoughts.
>
> TFM®

Yes, you seem to never cease to amaze yourself.

On Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:13:46 -0400, "Jean B." <[email protected]> wrote:

>Brooklyn1 wrote:
>> On Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:32:35 -0400, Jim Elbrecht <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> This stinkin' weather is good for something after all. I haven't
>>> stumbled across a giant puffball in years. Found a patch of a dozen
>>> tonight and brought a 4-5 pounder home.
>>>
>>> We saute 'd 1/2 of it for a snack. Damn they're good. I love it
>>> when something I haven't eaten in years tastes just as good as I
>>> remember it.
>>>
>>> Not sure what I'll do with the rest tomorrow-- or if I'll go back for
>>> more. There are another 1/2 dozen that will be good for a few days.
>>>
>>> I've never frozen any- and have read that drying doesn't work well for
>>> them.
>>>
>>> Anyone have some ideas on how they like theirs, or preservation
>>> techniques?
>>
>> I had one growing in my yard last year and now again in almost the
>> same spot there's one even larger... I've no idea what it weighs as
>> it's still there and even larger now than when I photographed it a
>> week ago. Last year's just rotted away, I wasn't sure I wanted to
>> risk eating it... I figure since the critters won't eat it...
>> Under my huge maple tree:
>> http://i53.tinypic.com/29cnwie.jpg
>> That's a 2 gallon watering can:
>> http://i54.tinypic.com/291fd4k.jpg
>>
>> If I can only find a woman with breasts like that!
>>
>Egad! That's enormous. I am envious (I think). I have never
>eaten a puffball. I wonder whether there are any poisonous
>mushrooms that look like them?
>
>The only ones I have picked in the wild are morels. Well, decades
>ago, I was with a mycologist, and we picked and cooked some
>boletes, which I recall as being disappointing. Hmmm. I passed
>what looked to be sulfur shelves on the way home. Now where WERE
>they? I vaguely recall eating those, or something like them, and
>that THEY were good.

When I least expect it I encounter some stange looking fungi here, but
I don't eat any.

On Wed, 7 Sep 2011 13:49:36 -0700 (PDT), Chemo the Clown wrote:

> On Sep 7, 2:25*am, TFM® <hornd...@tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
>> On Wed, 7 Sep 2011 00:42:51 -0700, Julie Bove wrote:
>>> "Jim Elbrecht" <elbre...@email.com> wrote in message
>>>news:[email protected] ...
>>>> This stinkin' weather is good for something after all. * *I haven't
>>>> stumbled across a giant puffball in years. * *Found a patch of a dozen
>>>> tonight and brought a 4-5 pounder home.
>>
>>>> We saute 'd 1/2 of it for a snack. * *Damn they're good. * * I love it
>>>> when something I haven't eaten in years tastes just as good as I
>>>> remember it.
>>
>>>> Not sure what I'll do with the rest tomorrow-- or if I'll go back for
>>>> more. * There are another 1/2 dozen that will be good for a few days.
>>
>>>> I've never frozen any- and have read that drying doesn't work well for
>>>> them.
>>
>>>> Anyone have some ideas on how they like theirs, or preservation
>>>> techniques?
>>
>>> What's a puffball?
>>
>> http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Mus...0Puffball.html
>>
>> I didn't know what they were either but I kinda figured from the context
>> that they were mushrooms.
>> My amazing ability to type "puffball" into Google confirmed my thoughts.
>>
>> TFM®
>
> Yes, you seem to never cease to amaze yourself.

How about you go play a game of hide and go **** yourself?

TFM®

On 9/6/2011 8:32 PM, Jim Elbrecht wrote:

> This stinkin' weather is good for something after all. I haven't
> stumbled across a giant puffball in years. Found a patch of a
> dozen tonight and brought a 4-5 pounder home.
>
Not a mushroom fan so no suggestions. However wanted to comment about
the sprouting fungus after all this rain. I have a new fresh crop of
Dog Stinkhorn and they are very tall and stinky. There's also a dark
pink fungus ball and I have no idea what it is.

I hunt wild mushrooms all the time. I like boletes and chaterelles,
along with the Prince, morels, of course, and hericiem erinacea.
Puffbals are edibel, but choice? No.

I suupose Shelly would doubt that spreading those spore would produce
more, though. Keep dreaming sugar!!




--
Gorio