Student's Hand-book of Mushrooms of America, Edible and Poisonous — John Shaqi
Student's Hand-book of Mushrooms of America, Edible and PoisonousTaylor, Thomas
Science
Student's Hand-book of Mushrooms of America, Edible and Poisonous
Taylor, Thomas
Mushrooms -- United States; Pathogenic fungi
In Plate III, Fig. 1 represents an immature plant; Fig. 2, cap expanding
with growth; Fig. 3, cap further expanded and slightly umbonate; Fig. 4,
mature specimen, cap plane or fully expanded, margin irregular and
smooth, stem equal, smooth and ringless; Fig. 5, section showing gills
broad, free, ventricose, unequal, and flesh white; Fig. 6, spores
white.
APPENDIX A.
PRESERVING AND COOKING MUSHROOMS.
In Europe several species of mushrooms are preserved by boiling and
afterwards placing them in earthern jars or tubs filled with water,
which is renewed from time to time. This simple and economical method of
keeping mushrooms affords the people considerable provision. With regard
to the preparation of fresh mushrooms for table use, Dr. Roques, an
eminent writer on fungi, gives the following excellent suggestions:
"After selecting good mushrooms, remove the skin or epidermis, cutting
away the gills, and in some cases the stem, which is usually of not so
fine a texture.
"It is important to collect for use only young and well-preserved
specimens, because a mushroom of excellent quality may, nevertheless,
when overmature or near its decline, become dangerous for food. It then
acts as does every other food substance which incipient decomposition
has rendered acrid, irritating and indigestible. It is, moreover, rarely
the case that mushrooms in their decline are not changed by the presence
of larvae."
In Geneva a very lucrative trade is carried on in the exportation of the
"_Edible Boletus_," which is preserved for use in various ways, the
simplest of which consists in cutting the caps in slices and stringing
them, after which they are placed on hurdles in the shade to dry. They
may also be dried in a stove or oven, but the former method is
preferable, as the mushroom then retains more of its flavor or perfume.
When the slices are perfectly dried they are put into sacks and
suspended in a dry, airy place. Sometimes before the mushrooms are
sliced they are plunged into boiling water for an instant, which
treatment is said to preserve them from the ravages of insects. Several
kinds of mushrooms are preserved in the following manner: After they
have been properly washed and cleansed, they are boiled in salted water
and afterwards wiped dry. They are then placed in layers, in jars,
sprinkled with salt and pepper, and covered with pure olive oil or
vinegar. _Lactarius deliciosus_, _Cantharellus cibarius_, _Morchellas_,
_Clavarias_, etc., are thus preserved. Before using the dried mushrooms
they are soaked in tepid water for some time and afterwards prepared as
if fresh, with the usual seasoning.
RECEIPTS.
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