Puffballs

[Cabin Fever]

Always wanted to try a puffball. I was eyeing one all morning from my stand, so I grabbed it on my way out. Starting look to look for recipes.

What do they taste like? How do you cook them?

[Otto]

They taste like mushrooms! 

I slice them as thick as bread and fry in butter over low to medium heat.  When you slice through it, it should be white all the way through.  Also try to cook it the day you pick or next day, not later.

Bon Appetit!

[DirtTime]

9 minutes ago, Otto said:

They taste like mushrooms! 

I slice them as thick as bread and fry in butter over low to medium heat.  When you slice through it, it should be white all the way through.  Also try to cook it the day you pick or next day, not later.

Bon Appetit!

They are awesome! Fry them up the way Otto mentioned. Where's Paula? I bet she would have some ways to cook them.

[philoshop]

I slice them like Otto describes but then treat them to an egg bath before frying, like you would for French toast.

[Cabin Fever]

Had almost half of it for lunch! LOL. I dredged it in egg, coated it with Italian breadcrumbs and some parmesan cheese, and fried in butter. Delicious!!!

I'll polish the rest off tomorrow. Didn't want to eat too much, incase I found out I was allergic to it or something. (Allergic to morels) So far, so good!

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[PREDATE]

Passed these puffballs and Maitake up last weekend, didn't feel like toting them home.




However these Shaggy Manes sprouting up in my yard will make for a fine breakfast tomorrow! There's about 12-15 more that are just emerging.

[Paula]

I only fry in a bit of butter. Your way sounds better 

[PREDATE]

IMO the gem studded puffballs have a more balanced but delicate taste

[PREDATE]

I only fry in a bit of butter. Your way sounds better 

It does sound good

[Cabin Fever]

7 hours ago, Paula said:

I only fry in a bit of butter. Your way sounds better 

Had another big plate of it for dinner tonight! DE-LISH!!!

Have you ever preserved it? I would like to use one to try in the stock and soup that I make in the winter.

[PREDATE]

You can freeze it.

[Cabin Fever]

When I brought it home, my wife's eye's about popped out of her head! She asked me what it was... I told her it was an "egg that I found in the woods"! Her jaw dropped! Then, I had to bust out laughing! 

[nyslowhand]

Just guessing here, couldn't you blanch them like most veggies and then can or freeze them in some kind of liquid (clear broth, tons of butter..)? Sure they can be dried & rehydrated for use, esp in soups.

Should have told the wife you guys were going to be rich & famous, you'd found a bigfoot egg.

 

[Paula]

Mushrooms absorb so i think blanching would be the last thing you would want to do

[PREDATE]

Mushrooms have high water content so they freeze up nicely. Just have your stockpot/frying pan warmed up before you even take the mushrooms out of the freezer otherwise they can start to wilt and turn brown rather quickly.
Another option would be to marinate them in olive oil, vinegar, garlic cloves & spices. Woodsmans tofu!

[Cabin Fever]

Came across an interesting site while looking for ways to preserve and recipes. http://www.kitchenfrau.com/puffball-recipes/  There was a recipe for using a slice of puffball as a low carb / gluten free pizza crust! Figured WTH and tried it! I like mushrooms on my pizza anyways! It was a great alternative! It was suggested to precook the puffball slice to get some of the water out, then add pizza toppings, and put into the oven. Delicious! I'm gonna go out and try to find 1-2 more to slice and put in the freezer, just for using as pizza crust!

 

I also read it was good alternative for French toast. Thought that was weird.... but, of course I had to try it! LOL I poured some maple syrup on it and it did have the same texture and flavor as French toast! Would definitely pass in my book! 

[Paula]

The pizza sounds good. This summer I seen the most I ever have in one spot. From one angle I counted 9! But they were rotting. 

[PREDATE]

Tonights treat. Shaggy Manes. Still got 8-10 in the lawn that I'm letting get big enough for harvest.
Also found some Inky Caps(single one in pic). They are edible, BUT they contain Coprine which has the same effects as Antabuse so since I had a couple beers tonight I threw it back in the yard. It is said that consuming alcohol even 3-4 days after eating inky caps can lead to some pretty good gastro intestinal upset.

[PREDATE]

Still getting Shaggy Manes. They're loving this rain. These ones are huge.

[Cabin Fever]

Never tried those. Same general flavor and texture of other shrooms?

I just saw a few of them yesterday while checking cams. Honestly, I wasn't 100% sure what kind they were, but thought they looked liked the pics that you posted earlier.

Anyone still seeing puffballs that aren't over the hill yet? I searched yesterday in the area that I found the last one, but never found another.

[PREDATE]

Yes these have a great flavor. I highly recommend them. They are pretty foolproof once you ID the first batch.
I just seen a cluster of probably 8-10 soccer ball sized puffballs yesterday on I90 near Montezuma. They were still bright white and right in the center median