Crowd in Grodno discovers 114 individuals congregated in a single location.
In the picturesque forests near Grodno, an unexpected mushroom hunting adventure has taken place. Grodno residents Maxim and Alla, who initially had low expectations for their excursion, found themselves in the midst of an unprecedented boletus harvest.
The mushroom hunting incident occurred near Poretie, where the boletus season has just started. The duo's luck was not planned; they went due to hearing about the availability of these sought-after mushrooms. Finding boletus involves walking through the forest and searching diligently, a task that Maxim and Alla carried out with determination.
Their efforts paid off, as they managed to pick an impressive 114 mushrooms from a single spot. Maxim expressed his amazement at the number of mushrooms they found in a video, which has since gone viral on social media, with many people sharing their own mushroom hunting results.
Now, Maxim faces the problem of processing a large quantity of mushrooms. Drying is the most effective and traditional method for preserving these mushrooms after a bountiful harvest, especially Boletus edulis. This preserves the mushrooms while intensifying their flavor and allowing long-term storage.
To dry boletus mushrooms, follow these key steps:
- Cleaning: Gently brush off dirt; avoid washing with water to prevent sogginess.
- Drying methods:
- String the mushrooms on twine and hang them in a well-ventilated area near the kitchen ceiling.
- Place them in a wicker basket or bamboo steamer above a boiler or hot water tank for controlled drying.
- Use an oven by drying first at a low temperature of 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F) for 2-3 hours, then increase the temperature to about 50 °C (122 °F) until the mushrooms become crisp or brittle.
- Storage: Once fully dried, store the mushrooms in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to maintain flavor and prevent moisture.
- Reconstitution: Soak dried mushrooms in hot (not boiling) water for about twenty minutes before cooking. The soaking water absorbs the mushroom aroma and can be used as a flavorful broth for soups or stews.
Besides drying, boletus mushrooms can also be preserved by pickling or canning, which helps achieve long-term preservation while maintaining quality. However, drying is preferred because it enhances the mushroom’s aroma due to the formation of volatile compounds and preserves the protein content well, making dried boletus mushrooms versatile for cooking and commercial use.
In summary, for a large harvest, focus on careful cleaning, low-temperature drying methods, proper airtight storage, and use dried mushrooms rehydrated in hot water for cooking or flavoring dishes. Alternatively, pickling or canning are good options for preservation if you want variety.
Maxim, humbly admitting that they didn't go specifically for mushrooms, has now become a local legend in the mushroom hunting community. His story serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected adventures can lead to the most bountiful rewards.
Maxim and Alla's home-and-garden setup will surely be bustling with the scent of dried food-and-drink items, as they've decided to preserve their remarkable 114 boletus harvest through the traditional method of drying. Their newfound lifestyle as mushroom hunters has gained them attention from fellow enthusiasts, transforming Maxim into a local legend in the Grodno community.
