3 Fall Mushrooms to Harvest

Double, double toil and trouble … It’s the Halloween season and a witch’s brew is not complete without a moist, edible fall mushroom or two, right?

Just kidding.

But, guess what? We have an array of fall fungi in Nebraska perfect for your dinner plate.

The greatest variety of mushrooms is usually found from about mid September through mid November, depending on weather and conditions. I realize it has been dry in places around the state, but any welcome rains within the next couple of months should help the scenario with the emergence of fall mushrooms. Just remember: Moisture does matter for mushrooms! Plan to head out after a few very rainy, misty days and you should be in luck, as new species are likely to visible. Wild edible fungi in the fall though tend to be found fewer in number and farther apart though than spring morels.

But, what about fall mushrooms? Which ones are the most common? Which ones are simplest to identify? Which ones are best to eat? Hmmm …

Well, I have been an avid fall mushroom hunter and sampler for years, decades actually and below I list my top three picks (in order) for fall edible wild fungi that are not overly difficult to find, easy to identify and rated choice for eating.

These are typically found in the same mature, damp woodland habitat where white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and fox squirrels thrive.

Before you begin your search for edible fall fungus species in Nebraska though, you need to thoroughly research your quarry and be extra cautious in the woods.

Let’s not forget that in Nebraska, permission must be obtained from the landowner or their agent before venturing onto private property to forage for fall mushrooms. Be certain to ask if any others are on the property and don’t interrupt the crop harvest.

State park areas are open for non-commercial edible fungi collection as long as you have a current, valid state park entry permit for your motor vehicle. State wildlife management areas should be avoided as hunters for game animals are utilizing those in the fall.

Keep in mind that mushroom hunting is never, ever a game of chance! After all, there’s a saying among us mushroom hunters: “There are old mushroom hunters and bold mushroom hunters, but there are no old, bold mushroom hunters.”

Please know there are varieties of wild mushrooms that are poisonous, even deadly. If you choose to harvest and consume wild mushrooms, you will do so at your own risk.

When it comes right down to it, proper fall mushroom hunting is a combination of education and caution. Furthermore, it is a process of elimination. It is searching for common features of the fungus. It is cross referencing with reputable ID guides or apps. It is getting a second opinion from a naturalist. And it is making a spore print. These steps all need to be followed to verify what you have is an edible fungus, not a toxic lookalike!

The best practices for mushroom hunting also include leaving at least half of what you find.

All that stated, let’s examine my top three selections for collecting wild fall mushrooms.

(1) Chicken-of-the-woods or Sulfur Shelf. Admired for its looks and distinctive flavor, this colorful, shelf-like, reef-like mushroom grows primarily with overlapping, layered, fan-shaped clumps on the dead stumps and logs of hardwood trees in mature woodlands. It may ‘pop up’ on conifers, live trees and buried roots, too. The sulfur shelf, which has no real stem, is smooth and wrinkled. Young specimens are small and sort of possess the characteristics of a finger. Typically, the chicken-of-the-woods shows up in the same places year after year.

The colors of chicken-of-the-woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) can be variable but are vibrant. It may appear reddish-orange, yellowish-orange or bright orange. The chicken-of-the-woods mushroom does not posses gills on the underside like the poisonous jack-o-lantern mushroom.

When it is young, the sulfur shelf mushroom can have a yellowish or almost a salmon tint to it. The colors fade as the fungus ages. Mycologists (individuals who study fungi) will tell you that chicken-of-the-woods is a good edible mushroom for novices to find in the fall because it has no look-a-like specimens.

The flesh of this fungus tends to be soft, thick and quite moist. Keep in mind that the older this fungus gets, the tougher it becomes and will require trimming off the outer edges of the cap and hard, woody areas before cooking. Be wary of  “chickens” found growing on conifer trees. They are more prone to causing allergic reactions.

How does chicken-of-the-woods taste, like chicken? Well, believe it or not, it is comparable to lemon-chicken! It is best sautéd, baked or fried prior to lightly wiping it with a damp paper towel.

Egg dishes enhance the succulent, rich flavor of chicken-of-the-woods.

Like any mushroom, after it is cooked , just try a little bit. Some folks have been known to have an adverse reaction to chicken-of-the-woods.

(2) Oyster mushroom. The name of this mushroom is derived from its oyster-shaped cap and very short, almost missing stem. It is also close to the color of raw oysters – normally a light grayish-brown color. Some even go so far to say that this fungus has a smooth oyster-like texture with a slight hint of seafood flavor that might contribute to its namesake.

Whatever the case, the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is a scrumptious, edible mushroom found in old-growth, open, leafy woods that mimics an oyster in shape and is sought after by many of us fall foragers in Nebraska.

Oyster mushrooms grow in small, tight, shelf-like groups on dying or dead hardwood trees, Some even push through bark.

The oyster is not a difficult mushroom to identify. It’s decurrent gills (those running down the stalk) are a distinguishing characteristic.

In addition, look at the tops of the oyster-shaped caps of these mushrooms. They can range from white to brownish-gray and are usually about 2–8 inches wide. Again, the undersides of the caps are covered with tightly spaced gills that run down the stubby, sometimes nonexistent, stem and are white or tan in color. “Oysters,” as they are called, can grow in substantial numbers, and many different close groupings of them can be seen on the same tree.

The flesh of the oyster mushroom is white, meaty, and firm. It has a slightly chewy texture and is soft with an aroma reminiscent of anise.

By the way, it is a good idea to give oyster mushrooms a quick rinse under cold water to remove dirt and other particles.

When cooked, this mushroom possesses a mild, nutty, somewhat earthy flavor with that subtle hint of seafood.

Oyster mushrooms are outstanding when sautéd with onions and garlic that bring out its flavor. “Oysters” are also added to soups, pastas, stews and meat entrees.

(3) Giant puffball mushroom. One of the easiest of all fall mushrooms to identify is the giant puffball mushroom. It is virtually impossible to miss in the wild! There are a few poisonous look-a-like versions so accurate identification is critical!

Referred to as the woodland volleyball, the round, edible giant puffball is ivory in color, with no spots or streaks of yellow or brown or any other color, for that matter. The puffball itself is the fruiting body of the fungus.

Giant puffballs should be uniformly pure, snow white inside (like a white marshmallow). There should be no other coloring. The flesh should be thick. There should be no sign of a cap or stem, only a root-like attachment at its base. Make sure to cut all puffballs in half in order to be certain that there is no sign of gills.

If gills are present it is not a puffball but instead the “button stage” of a toxic gilled mushroom that must be discarded.

Also, if the giant puffball is infested with insects it should be carefully trimmed in order to avoid the infested parts. Regarding the outside skin, it is easily peeled and should not be eaten if it is tough, leathery or dirty. It is key to never thoroughly wash the puffball with water either as it will soak it up like a big sponge and become extremely soggy. The giant puffball should be gently patted with a wet paper towel for cleaning purposes.

Where are giant puffballs found? Calvatia gigantea is commonly located in open deciduous forests, meadows and pastures. It can emerge in loose clusters or singularly. The giant puffball can range in size from a baseball to a basketball.

Wondering about the texture of the giant puffball? It is said to be much like soft tofu but shrinks during the cooking process. The giant puffball has a nice, delicate, nutty flavor and is prepared in a variety of ways.

It can be substituted in recipes for eggplant and makes for a great addition to soups.

A preferred cooking method for the giant puffball involves dipping long slices of the fruiting body in a wash/batter and then frying them in a small amount of olive oil. Another popular way to prepare and cook the giant puffball is to slice quarter-inch thick strips of the fruiting body that can be dipped in an egg batter, coated with flour and cinnamon and fried until golden brown similarly to French toast. Yummy!