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Tuesday, September 07, 2010

wild mushroom parmigiana


This is looking to be a great season for wild mushrooms in the Northeast, I went out last week and there were fungi all over the place.

I cant wait to find my very favorite - the Maitake or Hen of the Woods, this mushroom is one mushroom I never grow weary of, another mushroom that makes its debut this time of year is the Giant Puffball.

I found quite a few of these soccer ball sized wonderments and decided to make a parmigiana, that is a huge cucumber, over 12 inches, so as to give you some perspective.

I sliced them and battered them and fried them.

I layered them in a pan with a nice and spicy fresh marinara I made with garden fresh tomatoes, basil and one tasty red chile with a ricotta, mozzarella, romano cheese mixture and I baked it until it was bubbly and delicious.

I sliced it into perfect serving sizes and shared it with my friends.

The mushrooms gave this a nice light earthy flavor that was so perfect with the ricotta, mozzarella, romano cheeses.

30 comments:

Sharon Rudd said...

Those puffballs look amazing! And I want some of that parmigiana right now!

Victoria said...

Very unique!

Jeannie said...

Those are really huge mushrooms! Awesome...and the end result certainly looks delicious!

Anonymous said...

looks really tasty! out of curiosity, how do you know what mushrooms are safe for eating?

Christo Gonzales said...

I have been foraging for mushrooms since I was a kid - I know quite a few by sight - some I need to look up to be double sure but these puffballs are about the easiest of them all to identify - they are big - white and solid - if they are a little yellow inside they are starting to get mature - when they are fully mature they "puff" out their spores and are completely inedible...

Jason's BBQ Adventures said...

Wonderful recipe, even more wonderful mushrooms. I have never seen wild mushrooms that big before.

Vicki said...

I had a dream last week about puffballs, I found them in my parents' living room, sliced them and fried them in butter. I've never seen one in real life, never even heard of them until about 6 months ago. But apparently I must want to eat them.

The Duo Dishes said...

Wow! They're like the size of a small kid's head. It's crazy how many mushroom varieties are out there in the world. There were lobster shrooms at the farmer's market this weekend. Lobster shrooms!

bosquebelle said...

Wow! I remember my Grandma used to collect these in Colorado. I haven't seen them since I was a kid. We're going foraging in Santa Fe this weekend. Hoping for some Boleos...

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I've never seen a giant puff ball mushroom. These babies are huge. I love your idea of slicing and sharing your bounty.
Sam

Heather S-G said...

Holy shite- they're ginormous! That parm looks sooo amazing...mmmmm.

Anonymous said...

That looks fantastic!

Anonymous said...

That looks fantastic!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Wow, those are some record-setting puffballs. You turned them into a delicious looking meal.

Anette said...

Look at the size of those!! They are massive! Very impressive indeed, bet they tasted good!

Marjie said...

You make fungus look almost good! You know my quirks, Dog. I'll be sending some of my hungry horde to your house for some of these.

Cristina @ TeenieCakes said...

I've never seen anything like those mushrooms! They're amazing...I thought you were joking at first with the size of those puffballs. ;) Your wildmushroom parmigiana looks absolutely delicious!

Island Vittles said...

I would like to come over to your place for leftovers please! Theat looks freakin' good...theresa

Unknown said...

Those mushrooms are huge! I love all kinds of mushrooms so I'm sure I'd love this dish!

Sasha said...

My, this is quite unique. Good job : D

FOODalogue said...

Great idea to use those crazy-looking soccer ball mushrooms in a lasagna. I've never seen anything like them.

7h30 said...

I don't believe how big those mushrooms are. I can't believe I have mushroom envy. Looks Delicious.

Nutmeg Nanny said...

Awesome! Those puffball mushrooms look awesome!!! I would totally take a slice of that parmigiana....do you deliver ;)

Vickie said...

You are such a tease with all those beautiful pictures and the enormous mushrooms. I wish I knew about mushrooms - there were so many varieties this year with all the rain. Beautiful dish, Christo!

Mhel said...

what a ginormouse puffballs! I wonder how does it tastes? it turned out a great parmigiana... love the presentation! looks very mouthwatering!

theUngourmet said...

No Way! Those are insane! I wonder if we have those mushrooms over here???

Lea Ann said...

I have never seen, heard of, or imagined such a mushroom monstrosity existed. And that parmigiana looks wonderful. Great photos.

Cynthia said...

Thanks for the introduction to another mushroom!

Ken said...

SOB.......THAT LOOKS GOOD!!!!!

CreativeMish said...

Holy Cow! Those are huge! Everything looks delish!

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