Mushroom Hunting

When the rains begin in late summer on Vancouver Island, folks from all over converge into the hills in search of chanterelles.  The chanterelle is a distinctive mushroom with a bell shape which come in colors of pale to golden yellow, and grow in coniferous forests -  often poking out from the moss.  They tend to  grow in groups so when you spot one, take a closer look around as you'll probably find more within arms length.  Care should be taken when harvesting these mushrooms by slicing them close the ground rather than picking.  For those wanting to learn more about mushrooms, David Aurora's book, All the Rain Promises and More, is a great field guide.

This was the second year that we've taken our kids mushroom hunting and they have really started to develop an eye for finding them - the boys anyway.  They also take special delight  now that they've been entrusted to carry their own swiss army knives, and actually make the cuts.  Mirabelle will have to wait until next year for her mushroom knife.

Here is a good recipe for chanterelle soup that will warm your bones on those autumn days.