Giant Puffball Mushrooms - fried

We recently found a 'fairy ring' of Giant Puffball Mushrooms (Calvatia gigantea) out the in the creek bottoms. A fairy ring is a ring of mushrooms... yes, mushrooms growing in an actual circle. Our fairy ring is approximately 50 feet in diameter. Standing in the middle of the fairy ring is pretty cool... and weird.

Giant Puffball Mushrooms in the Wild

In its early stages of development, the giant puffball mushroom is edible. I put some up for sale on craigslist and a few folks did take me up on picking some for them. I'm glad that others were able to enjoy these delicious morsels.

Huge puffball growing up between some fallen branches.

 

Fried Puffball Mushrooms

First you trim off the bottom where it was in contact with the ground. This allows you to see whether the puffball has begun to produce spores. If it has, don't eat it... yuck! You want it white and creamy.

White and Creamy

 Next you can slice it up. I cut it to around 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Remove the outer skin, it gets kinda rubbery. Cut it up in to shapes you can appreciate. Batter up with some egg and flower or other batter mix.

Ready for Breading

Fry it up in some oil just until golden brown on both sides. Drain it on a paper towel and salt to taste. Yes.. this is delicious.

Yum!

There are plenty of recipes you can enjoy with this mushroom. I'll be trying a mushroom soup tonight!