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Well, I found what I think is my first Lobster. From what I have read on here and other places online, they don't have a close look alike...is that true? Never mind the hole in the middle, that was from me. Pics aren't great, but hopefully good enough for a positive ID.

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Congrats! Yep, its that easy. As with any food, anyone can have a reaction to anything you have not been exposed to....so fry a couple pieces up and test it. It will taste really good wink After that go out and find some more! Also, remember these spots, and if you do not over harvest, you will have more for years to come ......

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Awesome, thanks, PB! Can I throw a few more questions at you...?

I picked this Saturday, then put it in a freezer bag and in the fridge. Is that an okay way to store for the short term (I plan to cook it tonight), or do they need to be cared for differently?

Do I wash/scrub it, then slice as is, or do you only eat certain parts of it?

What should the texture be like, and how will I know if it is "over the hill"? Do they dry up?

Thanks for all the help in advance! I literally took three steps into the woods on my first ever non-morel hunting trip and I found this...I didn't want to get my hopes up and pick any more if it was actually some poisonous look-alike (VERY new to this), but I sure can't wait to get out now. Any idea how long the season might last? Do they go with the first frost?

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Yes, you are correct, as far as the look alikes. Something like a Jack o Lantern could be confused, but not readily. Some of the lobsters are more cap like while others are just kind of a distorted bulbous growth, regardless if it does not have pronounced gill, you should be good to go. Some do have a gill like veining on the underside, but not to worry. Also....did read somewhere to stick with the orange ones and do not pick a yellow one, as that could be an amanita that has been morphed by the lobster. I have never seen a yellow one though.

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Maybe poke a hole in the bag to let the moisture escape, but yes you are fine to store it like that. I would probably not wash them until your ready to prepare. It is usually a good idea to cut of the "stem" in the field so it does not drop any more dirt on them, maybe even a light brush as well(i don't carry one though).....they can be quite a dirty mushroom.

I usually use a very flexible filet knife and just scrape/cut of imbedded dirt while running under water as well as nasty looking areas. Pretty much can eat the whole thing, but older ones will start to get punky and woody.....you will be able to tell the difference. If you find a bunch, just clean and cut them up in pieces, fry them up in butter/oil/seasoning? until cooked through, lay them separated on a cookie sheet, freeze for a little while, then bag them up for later in the winter. I have found them as early as june till mid oct.

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Great! Thanks for all the help, PB. If you'll humor me for a few more questions I would greatly appreciate it...

I would assume the area I found this in would likely have more? Do they tend to grow in groups, or are they usually spread out? It was a low lying area with lots of popple and some balsam mixed in...is this a typical area for Lobsters? What other "safe" mushrooms might I look for in this type of habitat? To preserve the area, would you recommend leaving one for every couple I pick? Again, thanks so much for your help. I can see this is going to be a new time eater for me... smile

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I really can't help out much with where you live, my experience is mainly with "the big woods" old growth deciduous forest remnants. But, do find all mine in an oak/aspen mix predominantly low lying areas, or collection points if up higher. One thing to do is to study the ground/topography in an area you find a particular shroom and often will start to learn where others might be growing. This is a long process though and am still learning as well. Would think the area you described would possibly holding giant puffballs as well as oysters. The latter more so in the spring, think I have found all mine on Aspen and something to keep in mind for next year. Make sure the giant puffball is lager than 4 inches to rule out a possible bad mimic.

For the lobsters in particular, have found them solo in the middle of a walking path as well as clumps in the middle of the woods. This time of year they will be "hiding" under the leaves, so if you do find one, it is certainly worth a harder look. Also, you will learn to train your eye/brain to look without focusing too much...as you can get almost a vertigo type feeling if you concentrate too much. Too much to talk about all at once and got to get back to work......too bad you just got the bug now, you will be thinking about mushrooms all winter long smile

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Oh, my... I fried my Lobster up last night (simple butter, sea salt, pepper treatment) and wow, was it fantastic! I would rate its flavor as comparable to morels (not the same taste as morels, but as well liked as morels for me) but with a firmer texture that I thought was outstanding. Even my girlfriend and her sister who are self-proclaimed mushroom haters had to sample a bite after being teased by the aroma from the saute pan--they both really liked the flavor and the texture (no small feat to get them to try a shroom). Now if I could just get my hands on about 100 pounds before winter...

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Probably not going to happen this late, but finding a few lbs. is feasible... wink

Found my favorite use for lobsters this summer... Ever make camp taters in aluminum foil on the grill? Cut up spuds, some onion, lobsters, and add a ramp (or garlic). Sprinkle with favorite seasonings and butter. Insane. The spuds take on the mushroom flavor, and the lobsters soften a lot... melt in your mouth!

I find lobsters anywhere... typically in mossy areas. Poplar, birch, oak, on trails, on roads, anywhere. Lacttarius is the most common host, and they don't seem to prefer any tree over another. I see them everywhere. Anywhere hosting a lot of lactarius, will surely host some lobsters at some point. I did lose a lobster spot this year. For the last 3 years I've picked 20+ lbs. on a bear bait trail, and this year there hasn't been a single one. No lactarius either. It's void. Another area I've never found on in is loaded. Best part about 'shrooms... you never know... wink

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Thanks for the additional info, Matt. That recipes sounds awesome...spuds on the grill are my favorite potato prep method, so I will definitely give this a shot.

I went out last night (just tried a new area on a whim thinking the lay of the land would be similar to where I found the first specimen), but it was a barren wasteland and in no way similar terrain. Tonight I am going back to the first spot again and I will see what I can find. Even just to pluck a few more would be awesome. Last night, I was climbing over a rotted pile of logs when I spotted the unmistakable red-orange of a big lobster mushroom... I nearly broke my ankle in an attempt to scramble down to it as quickly as I could...only to find out it was a faded red gas can wedged under a log and partially covered with leaves. Dang. This bug got me grin

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Last night, I was climbing over a rotted pile of logs when I spotted the unmistakable red-orange of a big lobster mushroom... I nearly broke my ankle in an attempt to scramble down to it as quickly as I could...only to find out it was a faded red gas can wedged under a log and partially covered with leaves. Dang.

Yep, the other day at about 50 ft saw my first hen of the season, a perfect silhouette at the base of a massive oak......only to find a faded dirty plastic shopping bag smile

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