Puffballs to you too

[janiepopps]

Hi all,

I have a large round white thing growing on my compost heap (no - its not a football) and am assuming that its an edible puffball.

As my only experience of mushrooms are the variety prefered by students or the ones that grow in plastic tubs at Tesco , I just wanted to make sure that it doesn't have a deadly identical twin that will stop my foraging forever...

If its safe to eat - any gastronomic ideas?

Many thanks in advance

j

 

[oops56]

have someone else try it then you will know

 

[Ketchup]

I fit's a realy big one, i would give it a try. There's only one species going that big, I guess, and it's a real treat

 

[janiepopps]

Thanks guys (still not 100%!!)

what did you do to yours before you ate it Ketchup?

j

 

[Marts]

Please do identify it properly before you eat it. It's always possible to mistake and earthball for a puffball by look alone. Only difference being earthballs are poisonous.

Break it open. If its all white flesh inside it should be ok. If there is any dark material inside it is more than likely an earthball instead.


There are a number of varieties of each in Europe but the two common ones are:

Common puffball

Common Earthball

Happy foraging

Edited...Thankyou John you pedant

 

[Wayland]

Send it to me, I'll try it for you.......

 

[JonnyP]

Please do identify it properly before you eat it. It's always possible to mistake and earthball for a puffball by look alone. Only difference being puffballs are poisonous.

Break it open. If its all white flesh inside it should be ok. If there is any dark material inside it is more than likely an earthball instead.


There are a number of varieties of each in Europe but the two common ones are:

Common puffball

Common Earthball

Happy foraging

Marts.........You mean earthballs are poisonous, not puffballs. Puffballs are edible, but need to be eaten while still white inside.
It could also be a giant puffball http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~6239.asp These are supposed to be nice sliced into steaks and fried..................Jon

 

[Stuart]

If its safe to eat - any gastronomic ideas?

without supplying a photograph no one can give you any assurances, even with a good photograph of some mushrooms, its sometimes not possible to tell exactly which species they are.

Take a photograph of your mushroom, then cut it in half and take another. Post both on the forums and then we may be able to tell you whether in our opinion it would be safe to eat

 

[Nemisis]

Could be fasinating if she gets it wrong Wayland i've never attended a full viking funeral before lol.
Dave.

 

[janiepopps]

Nemisis - you cheeky s*d! Wayland - please make sure he's not invited

Anyway, it appears I'm a little late (or early?) I've just been up to photograph it, pressed it with my finger and the skin came apart in a puff of fungal dust revealing a khaki green dusty centre.

Now, I know I'm new to this game but I'm sure it ain't meant to look like that.

My thoughts are now that its a leftover from the autumn?? Other 'shrooms dont usually appear at this time of year me thinks...

j

 

[Stuart]

Nemisis - you cheeky s*d! Wayland - please make sure he's not invited

Anyway, it appears I'm a little late (or early?) I've just been up to photograph it, pressed it with my finger and the skin came apart in a puff of fungal dust revealing a khaki green dusty centre.

Now, I know I'm new to this game but I'm sure it ain't meant to look like that.

My thoughts are now that its a leftover from the autumn?? Other 'shrooms dont usually appear at this time of year me thinks...

j

your correct, its been left too late.

when in its edible state it will have solid white flesh all the way though, although it doesnt have much flavour of its own his white flesh absorbs the flavours of the things it is cooked with and is very filling.

 

[Nemisis]

Just a thought Stuart but can it still be identified in the state its in now so Janie doesn't miss out next time? I presume it will regrow within the same area?
Dave.

 

[Stuart]

yes, it may look more wrinkled and yellowed than it does when fresh depending on how far gone it is.

but they should appear in the same place next year

 

[Stuart]

here are some puffballs ready to be eaten

sliced for the pot:

 

[janiepopps]

Yes, ahem, mine didnt really look like that

I'll kick it round the compost heap a bit so theres a good crop come autumn.

Stu, did you just fry it? Any other ideas on how to use them?

j

 

[Stuart]

Stu, did you just fry it? Any other ideas on how to use them?

you can fry them up with what ever else you having (it doesnt realy have a taste of its own)

but better is to hollow out the small ones and stuff them.... then grill yummmm

 

[Stuart]

Stu, did you just fry it? Any other ideas on how to use them?

you can fry them up with what ever else you having (it doesnt realy have a taste of its own)

but better is to hollow out the small ones and stuff them.... then grill or bake yummmm

 

[Marts]

Marts.........You mean earthballs are poisonous, not puffballs. ]

That's what I meant