Foraging the Fun-Guy: The Elusive Morel…
Hunting for Morels
Living in the Sierra Nevadas, my bestie & I had talked for years about foraging for morels and their short season of 2 to 3 weeks.
This year we donned our hiking boots and set out for the burn areas in our region, with only the knowledge of what we had heard and what we had read.
A morel found in all its glory, photo by author
We understood the general “popping” areas… timing, temperature (low 50 degrees of the earth—> I even have a friend who brings a meat thermometer and inserts it into the ground!) burnt trees that are still standing, canopy (some vegetation over burnt sites) water source nearby…
And what we have been told is that you could have your “spots” where you foraged a bounty one year, and the next, nothing.
Hence, “Elusive.”
We marched all up and down, stomping over downed limbs, and prickly brush and discovered ONE whole Morel on our first outing.
Do we split it? 😆
The tiny window you must slither through to find the elusive morel
The Morel mushroom has only a season of a few weeks and as my title suggests… do not like to be found. Living in an area where there have been many wildfires (yes, we live in California and in August 2021 were evacuated from our home for 8 days) these are optimal “pop” sites for these beauties.
Shiny side of the coin, anyone?
If you have ever had fresh morels, foraging on your own or not, the delicate spongy (yet meaty) texture, its nutty and earthy flavor… the fact that they are only around for a few weeks and can only be found in remote locations may also contribute to the culinary exclusivity of this fungi.
The thrill of the hunt
What we realized after scrambling around the forest floor, and finally obtaining a decent haul is: this is really fun! Exhilarating! Even the word Thrilling came to mind…
What I wondered was: What is going on in the brain that we like this so much?
Of course we are out in nature and probably satiating some part of our lizard primal brain… but what really IS it?
So fun, so beautiful, so exciting! Photo by author
Psychological benefits of foraging
“You may not think it, but foraging is an amazing wellbeing activity that combines a multitude of psychological and mental wellness principles that can really help you find headspace, inner-peace, self-assurance, tranquility, comfort and true, genuine happiness.” —the Grizzly Forager
Of course I now follow Grizzly on IG…He’s all about foraging with his children, but there is something about being out in nature, foraging for your food that brings out a childlike wonder to our very adult beings starving for a small respite in our chaotic modern lives.
Connection to Nature
I feel very blessed that I chose a place to live that is in alignment with my core values of being in the presence of nature on the daily. The literal forest is about a mile from my home, but being out in the “forest-forest” away from cars and for the most part, people, and their inherent “noise” is something beyond.
Engaging all the senses
The sound of your boots crunching on the fallen pine needles, listening for water flowing, a lizard scurrying over a rotted out log, or noticing the gorgeous snow flower sprouting up from the pine needled ground, a bird hopping & singing to her friends… all adds to this very immersive experience.
The most beautiful snow flower I ever have seen… Mt Tallac in the background, photo by author
Flow state achievement
I think a huge benefit for me, with foraging, is when I am doing it, that is all that I am doing. Being chronically known for “being in my head” achieving stillness and being in the present moment is phenomenal for my overall mental well being.
🌟 A walking meditation at its finest!
“As a wellbeing activity, foraging is very unique as it broadly encompasses all five of the steps to good mental wellbeing. It encourages relationship building, being active, learning new skills, mindful focus, and giving to others, in one super-activity.”
Self worth of foraging
Hunting and gathering your food can help make you appreciate yourself more, which gives you a sense of accomplishment and allows you to appreciate your food & thereby, yourself more.
This in turn boosts self confidence as you learn about where and how these mushrooms thrive, and your ability to find these very secretive fungi.
Self Sufficiency
It quells the internal ache as humans to be self sufficient! Because we actually (could) be, if need be.
When we were told to evacuate with the August 2021 fire, for some reason my fight or flight mode got down to the primal level…
I packed up all things for our dog Gunther, art pieces that couldn’t be replaced, our laptops… but for some reason I was obsessed with water purification tablets and our fishing poles.
Clint, the voice of reason, calmly and gently told me: We are just going over the hill to your brother’s.
There will be a Raley’s there. LOL
This is funny now, but our brains do resort to self sufficiency when our modern day world seems to be collapsing…
>>>Now, back to the “fun” part…
Science!
Walking in nature and foraging for your food reduces blood pressure
Lowers cortisol levels
Improves concentration and memory
Found to boost the immune system, a chemical is released by trees and plants called phytoncides.
Preparation and enjoyment of the Morel
This then leads to how will I prepare the bounty I have found? What will showcase this beautiful gift of nature while making it the main ingredient in a dish I will create?
Mei’s bounty, photo by Mei
I don’t like to overdo it with these (fun) guys… I like to keep it real simple, and after cleaning and soaking in a salt bath to get out any symbiotic creatures that have inhabited them (sorry you’ve been evicted!) I sauté in some good olive or avocado oil with salt and pepper, finish with a pad of butter.
Sometimes they don’t make it to the dish… I eat them right out of my sauté pan!
As with many things in nature, I find the smaller the better: thin asparagus, smaller crowns of broccoli, the tiniest heads of brussel sprouts…
The larger are definitely more fun to find, but the smaller ones are the better eating in my opinion.
“ In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks...”
Bonuses of hunting for Morels
It is a healthy activity I can enjoy with my friend. Sharing the excitement, showing one another our haul, likened to children on an Easter egg hunt or comparing bags of candy at Halloween.
Being active- you are getting in your steps without even thinking!
Learning a new skill/activity together.
Sharing with others… (who are the lucky ones?)
Mindful focus.
All in one brilliant super activity!
Future foraging
We will stretch our mini “operation” until the end of the season… We have taken notes and will be back for sure next year.
Whether our “spot” (don’t even think about asking…) will produce again, is up to mother nature herself… All part of the thrill of the hunt!
. . .
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