Top 20 Edible Mushrooms Popular in Sicilia
Delve into the lush landscapes of Sicilia, an ideal incubator for an array of culinary mushrooms. Framed by its warm Mediterranean climate and fertile ecosystem, Sicilia nurtures an ample assortment of edible fungi. Let us guide you through the 20 most common types, each with their unique flavor, distinctive features, preferred habitats, and common use in Sicilia's world-renowned cuisine. This exploration promises a textured chronicle of mycological marvels awaiting mushroom enthusiasts in Sicilia.
* Disclaimer: Content feedback CAN NOT be used as any basis for EATING ANY PLANTS. Some plants can be VERY POISONOUS, please purchase edible plants through regular channels.
Most Popular Edible Mushrooms
1. Parasol
Found in clearings and grassy areas in late summer, the wild parasol mushroom has a snakeskin-patterned stem. The brown spots on its cap make it look a bit shaggy, but that name is reserved for its poisonous counterpart, the Shaggy Parasol (Chlorophyllum rhacodes). You can distinguish the two by the stems: the latter has a smooth stem and red flesh inside.
2. Caesar's mushroom
Caesar's mushroom (Amanita caesarea) is a brightly colored Amanita associated with ancient Roman nobility. Sporting a vivid orange cap and a yellow stalk and gills, this mushroom is an exciting find - however, because faded or young individuals may resemble the highly deadly Death Cap, it is recommended that this species be treated with a "look but do not touch" policy.
3. Common stinkhorn
The common stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus) grows incredibly quickly, sometimes nearing 30 cm in a single afternoon. Their caps are pitted in a way which makes them reminiscent of morels. However, there's little mistaking the common stinkhorn for a morel; the former, in addition to sporting a much longer stalk, has a clear and pungent odor.
4. Yellow morel
The yellow morel (Morchella esculenta) is one of the most iconic and sought-after species of edible mushrooms. It is often one of the first species that novice mushroom gatherers will hunt for. Yellow morels have elongated caps that are "honeycombed", being filled with roughly polygonal holes. Splitting them down the middle reveals them to be hollow on the inside, a key feature that distinguishes them from toxic false morels. Experts recommend cooking or boiling this mushroom before consumption, as raw morels may cause an upset stomach.
5. Big sheath mushroom
These large white mushrooms bloom all over cleared, harvested fields, as well as pastures and roadsides. The scientific species name comes from Greek words meaning “glue” (glioio) and “head” (cephalus), in reference to the sticky surface of this mushroom’s cap. The big sheath mushroom looks so similar to the poisonous Deathcap and Destroying Angel mushrooms that it should always be left alone.
6. Slippery jack
This mushroom blooms in summer and autumn, usually near or beneath pine trees. It does well in cold climates, but can also be found further south all around the northern hemisphere. During moist weather, the slippery jack's caps become quite slimy, leading to their common name.
7. Chestnut bolete
Chestnut bolete(Gyroporus castaneus) is most readily identified by its cap, which tends to split and flare as the mushroom grows older. It often grows in groups, particularly in the presence of oaks, and its stem is hollow--one of its most salient features. It is found in Europe and eastern North America.
8. King bolete
Extremely popular in many cuisines, this edible wild mushroom grows around the world near the roots of forest trees. In some regions, king bolete mushrooms are collected in great enough volumes that their sale can support entire families during the harvest season. King boletes are reported to be high in fiber, vitamins B and C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and several antioxidants.
9. Iodine bolete
The name of Iodine bolete gives you a good tip on how to identify this mushroom because it gives off a strong iodine smell when it is damaged. Iodine bolete is a widely-distributed mushroom that is always found in association with broad-leaved trees, especially oak, with which it has a symbiotic relationship.
10. Green-cracking russula
Green-cracking russula (Russula virescens) is easily recognized by its pale green cap and its preference for deciduous and mixed forests. An Old World species, its presence in North America has not yet been confirmed due to several cases of potentially mistaken identity with R. parvovirescens and R. crustosa, which are visually similar to Russula virescens.
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