Foraging for Porcini Mushrooms
Posted: 22/03/2011 11:15:24 a.m.
Once I had Sue’s number, I felt it needed to be a soft approach with a degree of understanding that if I actually convinced Sue to take me along with him, I would be fully prepared to be blindfolded and travel in the boot of the car. Whatever it took would be ok with me, to forage for what is my favourite fungi in the world.
Phone numbers were exchanged, a plan was hatched, a pickup spot arranged and the 6am start in complete darkness seemed fully appropriate.
Rumours I had heard in the past that Porcini mushrooms could be found in parts of the South Island, I always felt had been just that…rumours. I was sceptical if nothing else as I felt sure, that if they did exist, I would have stumbled upon them one way or another through the tight culinary circles of this little village of ours called NZ. Apparently not!
With a certain amount of apprehension on board, I was on time at spot X for our rendezvous. I actually didn’t know what to expect as I stood in the foggy darkness on this deftly still Christchurch morning.
Around the corner with its lights turned down, a non-descript white 80’s saloon slowly pulled up next to me. As quick as you like, Sue jumped out, and with firm handshake and a couple of pleasantries we disappeared into the darkness.
The next 3 hours was the most fun I have had in a long time. As much as I love to hunt and fish, I get just as much of a thrill gathering or foraging. In fact in a weird way I sort of love looking for anything. It can be looking for smooth coloured glass on the beach, or perfectly round shaped stones walking up a river. It’s all about the anticipation….it’s what’s just around the corner, over the ridge, or through the trees that keeps you going and going.
We spent the morning with our heads down walking in the fog; Gently moving through the autumn foliage, straining our eyes to spot these incredible things of beauty on the heavily camouflaged forest floor. We gathered a couple of kilos between us. Not only was the bounty incredible, it was the time spent with a new friend, listening to his stories and learning everything I possibly could about how and why these mushrooms grow in certain places.
To finish we lit a fire and cooked these extraordinary fungi in butter, roasted garlic, fresh thyme, parsley and salt and pepper. Simply magic!
If anyone can tell me if they’ve foraged and found Porcini in the North Island I would love to know the province… I have the bug big time!
My Other Favourite Foraging Activities, Please add yours to the list…
- Digging For Tuatua
- Collecting Field Mushrooms
- Picking Watercress
- Harvesting Edible seaweed
* The person’s name and places in the following story have been changed to protect their identity and from the IRD!!