Mushroom hunting in Healdsburg
Hi it's Gwynie here...
With the start of the rainy season, we were invited by some friends to the annual opening day of mushroom hunting season which always happens three weeks after the first substantial rain.
We met in the square for lunch from the Downtown Bakery and Oakville Deli and then caravanned up to The Patio high above Healdsburg. Based on instructions we dressed in rain boots, rain jackets, and carried knives, gloves and collecting bags. Even though early rains have come to the Bay Area that particular November day was warm enough to be in short sleeves, I needn't have dressed as warmly as I did. We gathered hunting tools (aka an old ski pole, others had more fancy rakes etc due prior experience). There was a mixed group of newbies and veteran hunters who acted as guides. Off we set, a party of about 15, hiking around the hills, rooting around in areas around the trees shifting the ground cover and leaves. We were supposed to be looking for small mounds pushing through the cover.
However the warmer days after the rain have dried out the ground and while I saw mushroom spoor I didn't find any mushrooms. I did feel like a pig rooting through the leaves ever hopeful of finding something. Up ahead we heard screams of delight and a crowd (ok so maybe it was 3-5 of us) gathered to watch the lucky person dig/cut out the mushrooms. The mycologists in the group would examine the specimen and declare whether or not the mushroom was safe to eat and what kind it was. Some of the poisonous ones were puff balls, and I was slightly apprehensive about the mushrooms we would find but alas I did not find any. Sort of bummed and relieved at the same time. I was sort of torn because I wanted the excitement of finding them but then I'd have to pick, cook and eat them and I was a little doubtful about that...
We followed the dirt road winding down the mountain and cut off into the woods on each side. After about 2 hours we decided to turn around and hike back to the cabin. Back on the patio overlooking the valley, Cecile served hot apple cider and cold water. The Patio has an amazing open air set up with a fireplace, dishwasher etc. The deluxe style of roughing it. It was so fun to see her prepare beef stew & polenta, gumbo & rice and peas over a large grate in the fireplace. All the pots were sturdy and fire proof, she even had an oven that positioned over the fire to heat the macaroni & cheese my Aunt made. We brought the membrillo we made a couple of weeks again, along with manchego and cold cuts. Everyone else brought dessert.
After dinner we pooled the mushrooms we found- chantrelles, Butter Bolete, & button mushrooms.
Those more seasoned hunters and confident people took a share, we passed...
I found a recipe for pickled chantrelles and thought of our adventures