Porcini mushrooms are a dish of autumn and are loved and eaten by Indians. Here’s how to collect, store and cook them
Boletus Edulis is probably the most famous and popular. Due to its price and the smell it gives off, this mushroom has earned the name “King of Mushrooms” over the years. They are easy to identify and make a great addition to many Italian dishes. Boletus mushrooms are usually brown or reddish-brown. They are slightly sticky and the underside of the cap is made of sponge material. Porcini mushrooms can also be used as a meat substitute in vegetarian dishes as they contain a lot of protein.
Porcini mushrooms: where can I find them?
It is important to know that there is no definitive and specific link between a type of mushroom and a particular plant. Hunting for rare porcini mushrooms is a fun activity that gives you the opportunity to connect with nature. Hunters need knowledge and skills: unfortunately, they do not play any role in this research. In fact, to hunt for mushrooms, you first need to know the forest. The best forests are olive, oak and heather. In the fruit trees you will find porcini porcini and summer porcini, light-colored porcini. Instead, in the oak and heather forest you will find the boletus mushroom, also known as “black boletus”.
Porcini Mushroom: When to Pick
Mushroom season varies from region to region, as it depends on the climate. Generally speaking, the best time is between September and October. However, harvesting can also be done in the summer or spring. Mushrooms need a combination of rain, sunlight, and heat. So there needs to be enough rain, and the weather needs to be warm and humid. Therefore, there can be many years of happiness and other hard-to-find things. After the rain, you should wait at least 10 days before going to the forest and searching. You should give the mushrooms time to grow.
Porcini mushrooms: how to store
There is no single storage method, but there are many ways to store porcini mushrooms for a long time and enjoy their taste and smell. Contrary to what you think, when they are picked, you should not wash them with water because they like to absorb water and start to lose their consistency. It is best to remove the dirt by hand with a brush and store them. Let’s see how to properly store porcini mushrooms.
Dry
Drying is a good way to store porcini mushrooms for a long time, choosing a place with direct sunlight and good ventilation. A veranda can be ideal for this method. The only thing to pay attention to is the position of the bandages in which the mushrooms are placed and the distance between them. Drying can take between 2 and 5 days in total, but this period depends on the environment and the temperature.
Stored in Oil
Preservation in oil is very good for preserving organoleptic properties. Prepare a pot of water, add vinegar and salt and boil. Then you can put the porcini mushrooms in it and cook for about five minutes and then strain. After doing this, you can season the mushrooms with pepper, chopped parsley and garlic. Then we reach the final stage of storage, where the mushrooms will be placed in special containers with good oil. It is recommended that all mushrooms be placed by gently pushing them with a fork to avoid creating bubbles.
