Springtime arrives with an explosion of outdoor opportunities – crappie fishing from the bank; white bass spawning runs in creeks; turkey hunting; and of course, wild morel mushroom hunting. In fact, if you’ve not yet experienced the seasonal but short-lived annual phenomena centered around hunting and feasting on the wild morel mushroom, well, it’s high time you did! Here’s a few steps to introduce you to a spring pastime you just might want to take up this year! But hurry, because now’s the time!
Gone Huntin’
The first step toward feasting on a platter of morels is to get out and find some. There’s been plenty said on tactics and tricks. But in short, you find them in the woods across Oklahoma during the spring – particularly during late March and April. And of course, one thing all mushroom hunters will agree on is you can’t find them if you don’t go looking. Search in the woods, along field edges and under trees. You’re trying to train your eyes to spot their unique shape. Some morels stick out like a sore thumb because of their bright golden color. On the other hand, you can walk right past others hiding in brush, leaf litter or in tall grass. Go slow, make multiple passes over the same area, and don’t hesitate to come back to a spot a few days later if you come up empty handed the first time. Step 5 below provides an entire episode of Outdoor Oklahoma TV with tips and tricks for how to hunt and identify morels.
Wash & Prep
Once you have a handful of morels in your possession, it’s time to prep for cooking. Slice them lengthwise and soak in a mild solution of salt and water for about 10-20 minutes. Then set them out and pat them dry. If you’ve ever fried a mess of crappie, then you know exactly what comes next. Make an egg wash with milk and a couple eggs, and dredge your sliced morels. From there, toss them with a mixture of flour – seasoned to taste with salt and pepper – until they are well-coated.
Fry ‘em Up!
Break out your favorite skillet. We like cast iron, but go with whatever you have at home! You’re going to pan-fry, so add a shallow layer of your cooking oil of choice after your skillet warms up. Fry each side until golden brown, then remove to cool.
