Spring is definitely merkel hunting time.
What in the world?????
Morels are a type of mushrooms which can be found growing all over the world in a wide variety of habitats every spring. They are among the most prized of the edible mushrooms because they have a rich and complex flavor that goes well with almost any food. They also have a very distinctive appearance which makes them readily identifiable, assuming they can be found at all, since they’re notorious for being very elusive.
Like all mushrooms, the morel is only the fruiting body of a larger organism. Most mushrooms form a massive web of fibers underground called the mycelium. This web of fibers can be quite large, and when it decides to reproduce it sends up mushrooms, which release spores from the parent fungus. Mushrooms are quite appealing to humans because they are often fleshy and flavorful. Scientists have not determined why mushrooms fruit when they do, but mushrooms are usually linked with rain and heavy moisture. In the case of morels, spectacular growth patterns are also linked with forest fires.
We love to search for these delicasies every spring and this spring is no different. When Mother Nature cooperates we feel like we located the “mother load”!!
During spring gobbler season every year, hubby and his friends make a day of searching for these tasty morsels in their secret honey hole. As in years past, they did very well and these shots will prove harvest:
92 morels cleaned, halved and ready for the skillet!
Some are golden, some are brown and some are white.
It’s a beauty!
Draining all of the water off so they’ll last longer!
There is absolutely nothing better than country fried merkels, baked beans and macaroni salad for supper!! Wish you were here to enjoy them with us 😉
I haven’t found a one yet! 😦
Never heard them called merkels; we mainly call them mushrooms.
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I grew up with them called merkels but most people in the city here call them morels or mushrooms. There’s several types of edible mushrooms in our area and we do try to keep them separate. Have you heard of “swamps”? I like these okay but prefer the merkels. Hubby found 92 of them on Monday and I think they’re hoping to go look for them again on Saturday. Spring turkey season, merkels and native trout fishing are almost always done in April by my husband and his hunting friends. It makes for a fantastic feast!!
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Fun! I love to hear about words and phrases that are somewhat unique to an area. I have not heard of swamps. You’ll have to show a picture. Your meals do sound fantastic!
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Thanks!! I love to cook but working full time I don’t as much as I used to. Hubby has dinner ready when I get home. I do the cooking on the weekends. Love to have the kids home for meals and love to entertain friends. We haven’t done that for a long time but planning to pick it back up this summer.
By the way, your blog is awesome!!
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Family meals are the best. Thanks for the encouragement on the blog. 🙂
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We all need that on occasion to know if we’re making sense. I love reading about what other country girls/wives are doing. We need to educate in this day and time to prepare for anything that might happen! Have a wonderful weekend! 😉
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Hard to describe and really depends on how you fix them. We roll them in seasoned flour and fry in butter until crisp. We consider them a main dish instead of a side.
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I have never tasted a morel. What does it taste like?
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