Giant Mushrooms

[gundy89]

I was out scouting some deer land by Belle Plaine that I got access for yesterday and came across some mushrooms that were the biggest I've ever seen. They looked like honeydew melons but twice the size. One of them was circular and over 18 inches in diameter. White-Cream in color, no steam and didn't see any gills. I've looked at some web pictures and descriptions and I think they're "Langermannia gigantea" (Giant Puffballs). The description said they are edible and choice. Anyone try them out? If so, how do you prepare them? If you know what you're doing with mushrooms, I'll trade you a positive ID and a recipe for a couple. There were 7-8 of them all within 10 yards or so.

I'll get some pictures later this week and get them up.

On a side note, Holy Hanna was there a lot of mushrooms out. I swear, every time I turned around I'd see a different kind of them. I've never done the Mushrooming thing, but really enjoyed looking for them, deer sign, and the skunk I almost stepped on.

[updecreek]

Yes those are puffballs. Slice fry in butter or any mushroom recipe. Just make sure they are not drying out. went they dry up they turn to dust.'dust=more spores' to grow again. and are fresh like the mushrooms you would buy in the store.

[Jim Uran]

If the had skin like a cantelope they are poisonous. When you slice them open, and they are free from gills, and have a creamy white colored outter flesh, most likely they are giant puff balls, as with all fungi, be careful and make sure what you are eating is safe.

[gundy89]

If the had skin like a cantelope they are poisonous. When you slice them open, and they are free from gills, and have a creamy white colored outter flesh, most likely they are giant puff balls, as with all fungi, be careful and make sure what you are eating is safe.

Thanks for the quick replies. I didn't touch and examine them as I don't know mushrooms at all. I might swing back down today and pick one. Should I be using gloves or just be carefull? Makes me really nervous but would love to try some fresh picked mushrooms.

[Jim Uran]

I haven't had any problems picking mushrooms before, and I've only ran into giant puffballs a couple times. I did some research before I went back and picked them, those are the two most important features of mushrooms that resemble the giant puffball. You will be safe handling those mushrooms w/o gloves!

[jerkin'm]

Make sure they haven't started to get any internal color..any signs of yellow or green, toss them...found a few this weekend too..only one was good..

[Chris55386]

I have seen many of them on the walking trails in Carver park. Take the trails going south through the woods from Lowry nature center, you will find them.

Chris