Morels

For the past several days under the white ash in the backyard, the king of the fungi has appeared. Yes, it is the wonderful morel! The True Morels, (Morchella esculenta elata, and semilibera ) are not only some of the most delicious wild mushrooms in North America but they are also some of the easiest to safely identified.

To identify this mushroom, the following characteristics will help:

* Cut lengthwise it will be hollow from bottom of stem to top of cap. It'll look like a rubber mold, prompting comments from non-morel lovers.

* Bottom of the cap is attached to the stem. [Cap and stalk all one piece]

* Cap is full of Ridges and Pits. [Prune like, only deeper pits]

* On most Morels the cap is longer than the stem.

* Stem has little bumps both inside and out. Stalk is usually a lighter color [sand, yellow or grayish color].

You can eat any mushroom that grows. Once! But remember...There's "No Cure" for mushroom poisoning! If you have a bad reaction, you will either live, or die. Either way you're going to regret it! Go with seasoned hunters to learn first.

German folklore attributes the origin of morels to the Devil. Offended by a very wrinkled old woman, he transformed her into this mushroom. Ever since, calling a woman a morel in Germany has been a major insult.