Wine Caps …finally

In early spring I put in 50 sq feet of Wine Caps on wood chips.   I have seen nothing all year. I checked the beds Sunday with no results. Last night, prior to a hard freeze, I checked the beds again. They were full. Of course, I ended up harvesting them with the help of a flashlight.   Now I have to figure out what to do with them.  I figure that what I can’t use soon will see the dehydrator.

I have had nearly the same experience! I just got my flushes about two weeks ago in different areas. But now I know they are there!

Congrats and let us know how you like them! I find them not to be amazing on their own but something to dress up nicely or incorporate into something else.

Congratulations John!

It is satisfying to get a flush of mushrooms after all that patience.

Eric

Hi Timothy,

This is my second attempt at Wine Caps.  The first I planted on a few bales of straw.  I agree, I certainly favor the flavor of Wine Caps over what I find in the grocery store.  My present beds are 6” deep chips.   I plan on putting in some one ft deep beds next year.

Hi Eric,

I was pretty sure I had screwed up.   So, yes, it was a relief to discover them.

John F Dean wrote:   Now I have to figure out what to do with them.  I figure that what I can’t use soon will see the dehydrator.

The last time that I had an abundance of wine caps, I pickled them in a light vinegar marinade.

I sliced up the smaller button ones and briefly blanched them in the vinegar brine then packed them into small jars.

Made up the brine to taste - sugar, salt, whole peppercorns, garlic, bay leaves, sprigs of thyme and brought it all to the boil.

Removed the whole spices and put a little of each into jar then blanched the mushrooms and packed them the jars.

They will shrink to nothing. Pour over the vinegar, screw on the lids and water bath for 20 minutes.

I don't own a pressure canner and water bathing is more common practice here in NZ.

We eat them as part of an antipasto platter or as a pizza  topping or just straight out of the jar!