National Mushroom Month

September is National Mushroom Month in the United States.

Mushrooms are the fruiting body of fungus, the part that usually exists above ground whilst the main body of the fungus is often out of sight.

Some mushrooms are edible, whilst others are deadly - for example, the death cap looks like a cap and will kill you.

It is possible to harvest wild mushrooms, but this is not something that an amateur should really be doing, as only edible and non-toxic varieties want harvesting, and someone who doesn't know what they are doing could pick the wrong types.

Many different types are regularly eaten, such as the common white, more exotic types such as the oyster or shiitake or the really expensive truffle. Mushrooms can be cooked, but they can also be eaten raw. Many types are grown commercially, but others, often the wild varieties, are grown wild but commercially harvested. Mushrooms come in a wide variety of different sizes, shapes, consistencies and flavours. Mushroom growing kits, so you can grow your own at home, can be bought, and the vegetarian protein product Quorn is made from fungus.

National Stuffed Mushroom Day

February 4th is National Stuffed Mushroom Day in the United States.

Whilst stuffed mushrooms can be a tasty dish, you really need the right type of mushroom in order to successfully make it. Some types of mushrooms, such as small, button mushrooms, closed cap mushrooms or some of the more exotic types such as enokitake, a mushroom popular in Asia, are not really suitable for stuffing.

The type of mushroom that works best is one that is reasonably large and reasonably flat. The centre stalk of such a mushroom can be removed, leaving more room (the stalk can then be used in the recipe, if desired) which can then be filled. Once the mushroom has been filled, it can then be topped, and cooked, usually either by grilling or by baking in an oven.

Cheese and breadcrumbs are two popular topping types for adding on top of whatever fills the mushroom. Cheese, in particular soft, or cream, cheese, is also popular for using in the filling itself.

This is not to say that mushrooms other than flat ones cannot be stuffed, but the method is a bit different, and technically isn't really stuffing. The mushroom in question would have the, again, often cheese-based, filling added around it, and then the whole would be encased in breadcrumbs and deep fried.

The larger type of stuffed mushroom would be most likely used as a vegetable accompaniment to a main meal, whilst the smaller type would often be served as a starter, perhaps with a dip.

National Mushroom Day

October 15th is National Mushroom Day in the United States.

Mushrooms, which are the fruiting body of a fungus, and are sometimes known as toadstools, come in many different varieties. Not all of these varieties are suitable for eating; many of them are actually poisonous, and some are potentially deadly.

Although it is possible to harvest mushrooms in the wild, unless you really, really know what you are doing - or are with other people who know what to look for - it is far safer to buy them in a shop. Another alternative is to grow your own mushrooms at home using a kit.

Mushrooms, which are sometimes considered to be the "meat" of the vegetable world - the vegetarian and vegan meat substitute Quorn is actually mushroom based - are an extremely versatile food, and can be eaten raw and cooked, and different types are used in dishes all across the world.