It’s spring in Michigan, and like many people we have been out looking for spring mushrooms. Most notably, the morel.

We have NEVER found a morel on our property.

Oh sure, we’ve spent hours upon hours searching. But wouldn’t you know, every time I’m certain I’m going to find one, I find something else instead . . . fresh deer poop and deer footprints.

For two years now, the areas that SHOULD be holding morels, have come up empty, except for the deer signs. I read online about how people will swear up and down that deer won’t eat morels. I guess our deer didn’t get the memo.

Two years ago, we heard from word of mouth that our neighbor had collected piles of them from her tree area.

Unless she’s making up stories, we should have some as well.

Spring is not a total bust here though, there are other edibles popping up for dinner!

 

RAMPS

A relative of garlic, ramps (seen far left) are ONLY found in spring. Once the weather warms, the leaves shrivel and die, hiding the tasty bulbs until next year.

Ramps are easy to find. They have twin leaves that come together at a short, pinkish stalk. They look NEARLY IDENTICAL to Lily of the Valley, except for the reddish stem. If you pluck them, they will smell like onions or fresh garlic. If you dig down a few inches, you’ll find an oblong bulb. Pull-up the entire plant to harvest, or just pluck the leaves.

RAMPS CAN BE TRANSPLANTED. If you’re out hiking, you can dig them up and re-plant at home.

Ramps like wet soil. Any area next to water makes them happy. Pretty much any area skunk cabbage will grow.

RAMPS ARE UNCOMMON.

If you find a large area of them, be very excited. They are fairly rare. We have NO NATVE RAMPS anywhere on our swampy property. I DID however, transplant our bunch from our previous house, which were transplanted from my Dad’s house.

RAMPS GROW SLOWLY!

Don’t pick them all! Only pick 1/3 of them or less. They multiply VERY slowly. I planted maybe 10 plants 4 years ago. I have maybe 15 this year. It’s the same at my Dad’s house. They just don’t multiply very fast unless you have lots!

HOW TO EAT:

Slice thinly, and saute in butter over medium heat with meats, veggies or mushrooms. Goes great with venison!

PHEASANT BACK MUSHROOMS

No luck with morels? Try pheasant backs! (Seen middle of photo) These tasty treats grow off the side of dead or dying Elm trees. Wait, what? Yes, you often find them in morel areas. They LOVE wet swamps, and truthfully ALL our pheasant backs have been found in swampy areas.

Easily identified by their pattern of “feathers” on their tops, they are the only mushroom growing on the side of a tree in springtime (unless you get some early/late oysters).

Pheasant backs come in all sizes.

I’ve seen pheasant backs grow to 2 feet wide . . . in the middle of winter!

Size does NOT equal tastiness. It’s actually nighttime temps that SEEM to determine texture on these mushrooms. I’ve had tough small ones, and tender large ones, and vice versa.

THIS IS ONE OF THE TRICKIEST MUSHROOMS TO HARVEST.

No lie. My Aunt has harvested and eaten MANY types of mushrooms, but never had luck with Pheasant Backs. I’ve cooked several tasty ones.

They smell/taste lightly of lemon and cucumber. A light, refreshing taste in stark contrast to many other mushroom varieties.

RULE OF THUMB

If you can easily snap-off an edge of the mushroom with your fingers, it’s good for eating. If you have to twist/tear an edge off, it’s too tough to bother with.

**I’m not sure if a mushroom that’s tough one day will be soft on another day, but they do seem to keep growing if you let them stay on the tree.

DANDALION GREENS

Considered a weed by most, dandelions are actually extremely healthy for you, and help cleanse your liver and kidneys. Make sure any leaves you harvest have not been sprayed with weed killer.

Leaves can be eaten raw as a garnish or in a salad, or sauteed with other spring treats. They have a lightly bitter flavor to them.

BOTTOM LINE:

While morels might be choice, other spring treats are waiting to be found as well!