One of my favorite things about reading and writing historical novels is discovering how the pioneers did things in the olden days. There are so many lost traditions waiting to be rediscovered in dusty books and cobwebbed memories. I'm honored that I get to help preserve these traditions and arts for future readers with my writing.
Living off the land has been something my family has practiced for generations and learning to forage morel mushrooms is one of these practices. One of our favorite things about April is morel season. Growing up, we didn't take family vacations, my father worked all year long, but one thing we did was go morel hunting.
It always reminded me of an Easter egg hunt, except we were searching for mushrooms and it lasted longer. We eagerly searched the leaf carpeted forest floor for signs of the mushroom, hollering in excitement when a morel was spotted beneath its hiding place.
Foraging also helps cut back on the grocery bill. Morel mushrooms come up in the spring after a good warm rain. They like to be moist and grow under last years leaves. Morel's are found among stands of Cottonwood trees here in the forests of Washington State.
When the stinging nettles are starting to pop up, you know the morel's are following suit. Morel's will grow quickly, so we check every three days or so once the signs are out. The first one is usually hard to spot, but once you've found one, your eye becomes trained. I scan the ground in a grid like pattern, starting a few feet in front of me and then moving out.
If you find one, look close, they usually always have a mate. Carefully, cut or pinch off the morel, leaving the stem in tact. This way, the root stays in the ground and will produce again. If you pull up the stem and roots, you've just cut into future harvests. Many folks like to carry mesh bags so the spores repopulate the area.
Don't fill your bag to full, or you'll squish the mushrooms in the bottom. Morel's also like to grow in areas that have had forest fires. Morel's come in all sorts of colors from black, yellow, and white. I've not found a black morel here.
Once you find a good hunting spot, guard it. Most folks won't share as they're hard to come by. Also, when hunting morel's, please follow common courtesy and don't hunt where there is no trespassing signs or on private property without permission. You'd be surprised how many people don't follow this.
If you've never hunted morel's try and find and experience hunter or take a field guide. There is a poisonous form of false morel pictured in this link, though I've never seen it, the article says it does grow in North America. I've been picking morels for over 25 years and none of my family or neighbors have ever experienced any ill effects.*
When you get your morel's home, you must soak them overnight. They grow in the forest and do sometimes contains small bugs or worms. If you can see lots of worms or bites, then discard or don't pick that mushroom. Put mushrooms in a bowl of cold water and sprinkle with salt. Make sure they're completely covered and store them overnight in the fridge.
In next week's post, I'll show you how to prepare and cook them.
*Disclaimer-this post is strictly for educational purposes. We are in no way liable if you pick morels or any other mushroom and become sick or suffer from any type of reaction or illness. Please pick responsibly.
How to forage nettle leaves, preserving, teas and infusions
Do you forage any edibles? Have you ever hunted morels before?
When I was a small girl, my dad would hunt for wild mushrooms. I remember going along with him at times. One time we found a huge Sheep Head in the nearby woods. Jackpot!
I remember hunting for poke salad with my parents when I was a little girl. Not sure if many people have even heard of it but it’s a green leafy plant you cook. It grows wild.
We have poke salad EVERYWHERE on our farm, and not able to contain it. I’m going to have to research and see what you use it for once you cook it. 🙂
Wow…..I wish I could find these in our wooded area here in Georgia. I wonder if they grow here….Thanks for sharing!
I love mushrooms…thanks for sharing.
Jackie, you’re welcome, and me, too. A favorite.
Donna, I believe they grow all over the United States. On the east coast, I’ve read they prefer hardwoods, though here, they like the Cottonwood tree. Good luck!
Patsy, we’ve picked chickweed, and I’ve heard of poke salad, but never picked it or been shown it. Thanks for sharing. Now I’ll have to investigate. 🙂
Do you want to come visit us in northeast TN and show me how to do some of this pioneering? 🙂 I have enjoyed your blog since I found it. I think we have quite a bit in common. I love to write and have long since thought that – although I LOVE my modern day living – it would be a better life (maybe more fulfilling?) if I lived in the days of “Little House on the Prairie”. Ha ha. Really though and if you remember my blog comments in the last weeks we have bought acreage and I’m trying to do what I can to live out some of that – what you call “pioneering”. 😉
Leslie, I’d love to come TN! My family is from NC and I’ve always wanted to go back. Hopefully within the next few years. I love hearing about your adventure with your new acreage. And I’m a Little House girl, too. It was the first books my mom read to me as I was growing up, and then I re-read them many times. Can’t wait to hear more about your pioneering experiences!
We’re also in Tennessee and recently bought a farm. We think we may have morel mushrooms, and I’m learning what to look for this spring. Is there a specific month we should start looking for them? Thanks for all the wisdom, Melissa K. Norris!!
Right when the stinging nettles begin to come up. For us it’s the beginning of April usually.
I’ve foraged quite a bit, but not for mushrooms. Just not a fan. When my boys were younger we took a hike for wild edibles and brought back home BAGS of stuff from a short walk. They labeled them and entered them in the fair (homeschoolers, ya know, haha!). Thanks, also, for the chance at the free book. I pinned it!
Naomi,
Love this! What did your boys gather? And that sounds like my kind of fair. 🙂 Thanks for the pin and good luck on winning the book!
What a great blog! My husband and I have a very wooded lot so we don’t have enough shade for a garden. However, we’re excited to participate in an Amish CSA this year. We’re anxious to receive our first box of fresh, locally grown veggies at the end of May!
CSA is a great program. I’ll have some recipes on cooking veggies seasonally soon, too. 🙂
Your Pioneering book sounds very interesting. We have foraged fiddlehead ferns a few times. That’s as adventurous as we get 🙂
Well done! Great pictures on the site.
Thanks, Bill. You’re movie sounds intriguing.
I keep telling my husband I would love to go looking for morel’s.
You keep inspiring me 🙂 Thanks!
We just got back from a trip. 🙂 Once he goes, he’ll be hooked.
Always good to find an original source on morels… great article Melissa! Have you had any success this season here in WA state?
Yes. We had about two weeks of good hunting. It turned a little cold and cut the season short, but we did get some. 🙂
Good to know. I’m heading over to the Wenatchee area tomorrow with high hopes. Still trying to get the tactics down for finding them in the Northwest. It was sooo much easier where I grew up in the Midwest.
[…] How to Forage Morel Mushroom (has the link to the false morel) […]
Hi I just wanted to let you know the species of mushroom you have above is not a true morel but a look a like Verpa bohemica. You can tell the difference because a true morel’s cap is pitted and less brain like. In addition, the cap you have is not attached to the stem whereas a true morel cap is attached to the stem. Verpa bohemica is often found under black cottonwoods as well. 🙂
Hi Melissa. I grew up with my Mom hunting Mushrooms. We have purchased some Morels and have them soaking in cold salt water in the fridge. How do you then prepare them. Would love to have your advice on preparation. Thanks so much. Del
I drain, cut mine in half lengthwise, rinse, and dredge through a whipped egg and seasoned flour, then fry up in butter!