Motherload

I recently harvested a half-pound of shiitake mushrooms from my logs!  I sautéed them with butter, shallots, garlic, basil, parsley, chives, and cream, and served them over fettuccine.  They tasted divine.  Divine, I tell you.  Like a gift from the God of Fungus, whoever he might be.  Mycelius, maybe?  

I was going to ask you to guess what my family got me for Mother’s Day since I thought you were good at guessing games.  After all, you were right about the cold cellar.  But then you failed your last test across the board.  (For the correct answer to the Cabot’s ice cream quiz, scroll to the bottom of the comments on that post.)  So maybe I’ll just come right out and tell you what I got for Mother's Day. 

I got more mushroom spawn!! 

Most mothers prefer flowers for Mother’s Day, but I can’t cook with flowers.  At least not well.  Also, did you know that many types of mushrooms have amazing cancer-fighting health benefits?  I sure didn’t know this nor care at the time I inoculated my logs last spring, but now, exactly one year after my surprise cancer diagnosis, I care very much.  That combined with the fact that a couple of trees had to come down around our house, means it just makes good sense.  The birch logs will be recycled with oyster mushrooms.  And our next-door neighbors are donating some oak logs for additional shiitakes as well as maitake (hen of the woods).  And my four existing shiitake logs, two of which have started producing, should continue to fruit for several more years.

So it’s settled.  I’m building a mushroom garden! 

Comments

[Yumi]

Well, I'm jealous. I love mushrooms. The Boyfriend hates them.

[Julia]

How cool that you will have a mushroom garden! I've never been intrigued by the indoor sets, but I really like the idea of setting up outdoor logs that can generate 'shrooms for years to come.

[Free]

even alice, the one in wonderland, would envy you

[Amy]

Mushrooms are so underused. They're like the bastard step-child in the produce department. I love 'em. Wish I could get my kids on board. Hail to the fungus!

[allison]

that pasta looks amazing. i'm definitely putting that on my dinner menu soon. i love that you got more mushroom spawn. sounds delicious. happy inoculating!

[melch]

That's such an adorable mushroom picture!

[megan]

mushrooms, I love mushrooms.

Thank you, for all the hep you have given my husband and I as we search for a new home in the Boston area...we are still moving there but not quite yet... I may have more questions for you later.

I left an award for you on my blog... Cheers, Megan.

[kerry in Brunswick ME]

I just joined a MUSHROOM CSA! Because I'm not as productive as you..amazing you..

and you are freaking funny which is more important than productivity, at least some of the time.

Cheers.

[Sis]

Dad must be so proud...