Puff Ball?

[UltimateSurvivor]

I caem across this today and i'm wondering if it's edible? It reminds me of a Puff Ball...

If so, i shall be cooking imediately...



Underside,



Flesh inside. Note all flesh is like this.


It's quite small, just a little larger than an average fist.
Smells like a very strong tin of cream of mushroom soup if i'm honest.

Cheers guys.

[EddBamber]

This is probably a stupid question but, what is a puffball? and where are they found?

[Harvestman]

Well, I'd welcome another opinion, but I'd personally say that was a young giant puffball in perfect condition, and thus perfectly edible. I'm only hesitating because the only specimens of giant puffball I've ever seen have been bigger and past the point of edibility (flesh dark and discoloured). If I'm right, I'd love to find one of these.

[sasquatch]

As long as the inside is white it should be good to go. There's not much you can mistake them with from what I've read. Enjoy!

[Radix lecti]

I agree too, young puffball.

[bernie66]

fry it in bacon fat as soon as you can. And enjoy

[UltimateSurvivor]

I took the inside of the puff ball out and fried it with onion and bacon. I then returned it to the outer shell of the puff ball and placed the lid back on. it's currently in the oven as i type this message. I will get pictures when it's finished.

I believe i got the idea from Hugh Fearnly-Whittingstall. However i may be wrong...

Thanks guys. Very much appreciated.

[Paul_B]

Saw it on H F-W too. IIRC it absorbs the flavour of whatever it is cooked in. Beef stock = beef, Bacon fat = bacon, etc. Very nice but in this case it seems an obvious ID but with funghi, as I'm sure you guys know, any doubt leave it. I just wish the UK had the French attitudes to Funghi. Over there every qualified pharmacist had to be able to identify edible funghi. If you pick owt over there you are supposed to be aable too take them to a pharmacist to see if it is edible. I like the idea that it is true even if it isn't.

Let us know how it was.

[UltimateSurvivor]

Well Guys,

I've just finished eating and i must say i am completely stuffed!
This is the first mushroom i've tasted that has a natural sweetness to it. One of the most delicious things i've ever eaten...

The inside of the puff ball was taken out to create a natural bowl. From there the flesh from the inside was fried in Bacon fat(thanks for the tip bernie66, deffinately worked buddy!), with caramelized onions and back bacon. It was then returned to the Puff Ball-Bowl and the lid replaced. I then wrapped it in tin foil and oven baked for 15 minutes... WOW.




The outer shell, or the bowl as i call it, absorbed all of the bacon flavour. It simply melted in my mouth. The taste of mushroom was not overpowering. Infact subtle i would say. I can't compare it to any mushroom i've tasted before. I just hope it's not another 27 years before i find another!

Thanks for all the help chaps.

[bigmotherwhale]

hey i found some of those last year, but they ended up in a bag with poisonous ones so i wasnt brave enough to risk it, gourmet restaurants apparently pay quite a bit for these

[JonathanD]

Looks delicious.

[southey]

Great idea, hollowing out the ball, Yummy. now i need some bacon!

[brancho]

I am jealous
Look at the same spot next year to find more.

[Shewie]

Lovely, I've only ever found one and it was well past its best.

[Lordyosch]

Found these when out wandering at the usual place today.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41704036@N07/4931409503

Checked in the Collins book and I reckon they're puffballs too

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41704036@N07/4931408593

Far too titchy for scoffing though...


I can't get the images to work, none of the links Flickr offers me seems to want to play! (grrr)

Jay

[Melonfish]

i wish i could find one as perfect as that! glad it was tasty but got me hankerin for one now

[southey]

Dam it!! i forgot to get bacon this morning. then read this again, and now want a bacon buttie. oh well EGG BANJO'S ALL ROUND!

[Harvestman]

Lordyosch, those are nice pics, but as a general rule the brown puffballs tend not to be edible, and the white ones are good. Although as will all fungi, there are no simple rules that are 100% reliable. I'd have said your poics were a Scleroderma, or Earthball, which isn't edible, but other might dispute my identification.

[mattweasel]

Your puffball looks delicious...........UltimateSu rvivor! Are you still alive?
If you can reach the keyboard, let us know how you are.

[motz]

Great find! And nice recipe haha, I'll be on the look out for one like that tomorrow.

[UltimateSurvivor]

Hi all,


Yep, I'm still alive and kicking! I'm extremely upset at not having more to eat this evening. Alas, I am extremely greatful for having found yesterdays specimen.

Thanks guys.

[mattweasel]

Hi all,


Yep, I'm still alive and kicking! I'm extremely upset at not having more to eat this evening. Alas, I am extremely greatful for having found yesterdays specimen.

Thanks guys.

Phew! Glad you enjoyed it.

[bayleaf]

The flesh of the giant puffball fried in a little butter is simply fantastic.The Ultimate survivor method must be fab.Good foraging...