As I have said in the past, I am a shroom fanatic. I could eat huge plates of the things. So when I heard that the Morristown NJ Frelinghausen Arboretum was going to have Fungus Fest, an event sponsored by the New Jersey Mycological Association, I was excited beyond belief. I mean, nothing makes me happier than being in a building filled with musty odors and listening to lectures from Myco-nerds about the symbiotic relationships between apple trees and Morels.
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Fungus Fest is meant to be an educational event that includes nature walks where you can forage with Mycological experts who will help you identify what you picked.
Many mushrooms are poisonous and can make you extremely ill or even kill you, so if you are intent on foraging on your own it’s probably a good idea to read up on a few books and join a local Mycological organization like NYMYCO.ORG.
Fungi have a symbiotic relationship with other plants. Here are Shiitake mushrooms growing on a log, as they might in the wild.
Here are Shiitakes growing in spore-enriched soil bricks, one of the common ways they are cultivated.
These are Maitake mushrooms, another popular Asian edible variety.
And Enoki mushrooms. I love these in sukiyaki.
Hen of The Woods is a large wild edible mushroom.
Mushrooms and other fungi not only are delicious to eat, but they are also good sources for clothing dyes.
I was told not to eat this guy. It was like the size of a huge serving tray.
The activities included cooking demonstrations.
These Potato and Parsnip “Latkes” with mushrooms were being demoed but I didn’t get to eat any. NJYMCO.ORG has a bunch of other tasty recipes on its web site.
Next to shrimp and steak, my favorite breakfast to cook for friends and family is a mushroom, onion and cheese omelet. I use four different mushrooms and always get rave reviews. There’s a fungus among us.