Morel Mushrooms
Morel mushrooms are considered a culinary delicacy with their deep, earthy flavor. Early summer is a great time of year to hunt for these treasures in Jackson Hole. Morels are most commonly found under a variety of dying/dead deciduous (leafy) trees species including elms, apple, and ash. In Jackson Hole, morels are found amongst groves of cottonwood trees, and especially in stands of cottonwoods located near streams or riverbanks. Earlier in the season, black morels can be found, though the yellow morel type is much more common and abundant.
Hunting for morels can be an enjoyable and rewarding activity. The best place to look for morels is in a cottonwood grove near dead or dying trees a few days after some rainfall. Morel hunting requires a patient, delicate eye as the mushrooms blend in exceptionally well with the forest floor. Mushrooms are best harvested at the base of the stalk with a sharp knife. Morels are sometimes confused with ‘false morels’-a totally different, inedible type of mushroom. While they look slightly similar, false morels appear more wrinkly and have a white-cottony middle, while true morels have a hollow middle and are more honeycomb-like in appearance.
Morels cannot be eaten raw, and as with all edible mushrooms gathered in the wild it best to eat just a little bit at first to make sure that one is not allergic. The best morel preparations are the simplest. Try a morel omelet, sauté with vegetables, add or pasta, or sauté with butter and enjoy over toast.
Source: Mushrooms Demystified by David Arora
