A Day with a Fungi

We spent a fun day at the Pacific Northwest Mushroom Festival yesterday. A little bit cloudy and cool when we first got there, but the sun soon came out and we had to stash our jackets in the handy bags they handed out upon entry.
It was my first trip to the festival and my sister inspired me into going. I'm glad she did :)

That's her with a new friend we found along the way.

We tried out the full line of mushroom "bites" they were offering. Local restaurants and organizations competed in coming up with tasty bites, all using mushrooms, for us fair goers to try. I must admit some were a bit... not so tasty.  I love mushrooms, but we decided there were just some combinations of flavors that just don't go well with mushrooms.

the bites

Our favorite turned out to be, surprisingly yummy. Mushroom Ice Cream! Creamy and nutty with just a hint of mushroom flavor. Second runner up being the good ole' mushroom pizza. You just can't go wrong with pizza in my book! We were entertained while we munched by the The Bobbers, a local fishing song band. Nice lively music with "catchy" tunes. The kids all loved them.

After our tummies were full, we wandered through the exhibits that had been set up in tents throughout the grounds collecting our freebies that some were handing out. Thanks everyone! Pens, notepads, light bulbs and even a roll of T.P. Learned a bit about local mushrooms from some of the exhibits, Ostrom's Mushrooms, and South Sound Mushroom Club had some great info. I think I might try hunting some new varieties come fall. We already know how to pick Chanterelles, but the others are beyond what I would feel safe to eat.

 A flat of button mushrooms growing

We finished up our Mushroom day with a cooking demo from Jimbo Jitsu, the YouTube chef. Fun little show cooking with mushrooms and bacon. He used a cool cooking device I had never seen, a wood burning rocket stove. Quick, clean cooking, looked like it would work fantastic for camping and I am still trying to convince myself to get one. Sure would beat cooking on an open fire and more fun than a camp stove.

 

Wood Burning Rocket Stove. that' it on the table top (Green pot looking thing.)

All in all a fun and interesting day. We left just as the crowds were rolling in. So go early when you go next year. :)