--- On the Mendocino Coast*
by Anna Ely

   This time of year many coast residents add to their usual dinner entrees incredible edible finds from the forest floor along the coast and the Coast mountain range.  Humongous to tiny wild mushrooms are popping up at the base of pine, tan oak, madrone and alder trees.  Some will be found among willows along creek beds.

   A full moon plays an important role in the timing of a successful mushroom hunt.  Add two to four inches of rain and the days following a full moon are promising for finding delectable treats of the fungi sort.

   Golden Chanterelles are found under older fir, tan oak and madrone trees.  These sometimes-huge mushrooms flower out into an unusual fan shape.  They have a unique and delicious taste.  Sautee them in butter with salt and pepper; lace them into an omelet for breakfast or add them to a fresh baby greens salad for lunch and you will have a superb meal.  Golden Chanterelles are out now through most of January.

   Black Chanterelles are smaller than the Golden Chanterelle and are found in a similar environment except more tan oak and madrone make up the forest cover.  The Black Chanterelle is a great addition to a beef or lamb stew, served with a fine bottle of Zinfandel and fresh baked bread.  The Black Chanterelles will be around through March.

   Boletus Edulis (Porcini) mushrooms are popping up now as we go to press.  Conditions of a coastal mixed forest with bull pine prevalent, after a good rain, warmer than normal temperatures and full moon make for the best hunting.  Boletes add a special taste to oriental stir-fry, soup and any stew.  Fresh boletes sliced and sautéed with butter, fresh garlic and dry sherry are a great treat for lunch after a morning of mushroom hunting.

   Hedgehog (tooth) mushrooms are found under thick bull pine forests as well as in tan oak and madrone forests.  They are coming up now and will continue to fruit through February.  These delicate wild mushrooms are best if lightly sautéed in butter, perhaps mixed with softly caramelized onions and served on a bed of basmati rice.

   Oyster mushrooms are found around dead wood, fallen alders and willows along smaller creek beds.  Boil these up by following the recipe for oyster stew, substituting the fresh mushrooms for the oysters.  Oyster mushroom stew and a fresh green salad will be a big hit on New Year's Eve.  Oyster mushrooms can be found now through the end of the month.

   Happy Hunting!

   A WORD OF CAUTION.  Before you eat any wild mushrooms, you must be very sure that you have the right one and not a look-alike.  Besides excellent eating mushrooms there are ones that taste awful or make you sick.  There are a number that are deadly.  -Publisher