puffball!

[kelownagirl]

Wow, that's huge! I've never tasted "puffball" but it sounds interesting. It's like a mushroom right? Does it taste like mushrooms?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yes, it tastes like a VERY mild mushroom. It's all white in the middle, solid, with the fluffy mushroom texture.
I have to go make some apple/grape/date/walnut/yogurt salad now, to bring to the potluck dinner soon.....later, you guys!

[Pax]

That is so cool! I've never seen or even heard of a puffball before...now I want to try one.

[Eden]

I don't think I've ever seen one around here, but I grew up in Pennsylvania and they were all over the place - but much smaller! I understand that they are pretty safe to pick and eat since there aren't any poisonous varieties that look anything like them. I've never eaten one though.... I always noticed them in the late fall after they'd gone to spore and were much more fun to step on than to eat. (they are like little smoke bombs!)

[DirtDiva]

I didn't know you could eat puffballs, though. Of course I've never seen one bigger than a golf ball!

Ditto.

I've never eaten one though.... I always noticed them in the late fall after they'd gone to spore and were much more fun to step on than to eat. (they are like little smoke bombs!)

Ditto.

[7rider]

I'm in NY this weekend, and my BIL was talking about puffballs - which I had never heard of or seen. He called the "above ground cousins of truffles," have no poisonous twins, and are safe to eat. He loves 'em and will harvest them whenever he can find them.
That is quite a 'shroom there, Lisa. Bon appetit!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Ok, the puffball caused quite a stir at the potluck!
It was duly revered, then sliced into 3/4" slices, then dipped in egg batter, then seaoned bread crumbs, then sauteed the slices until golden and slightly crisp on the outside in olive oil in a pan. A bit of salt and pepper. Yummy!
They were great! DH, who is leery of weird foods, said he loved it!

Regina is correct, and the big ones are quite safe to eat- there is nothing else that resembles it. It's kind of a fun novelty to collect from the wild and eat.

I still have a couple of slices left to make for DH again tomorrow.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Ok, the puffball caused quite a stir at the potluck!
It was duly revered, then sliced into 3/4" slices, then dipped in egg batter, then seaoned bread crumbs, then sauteed the slices until golden and slightly crisp on the outside in olive oil in a pan. A bit of salt and pepper. Yummy!
They were great! DH, who is leery of weird foods, said he loved it!

Regina is correct, and the big ones are quite safe to eat- there is nothing else that resembles it. It's kind of a fun novelty to collect from the wild and eat.

I still have a couple of slices left to make for DH again tomorrow.

Here's an interesting news story of a giant puffball found in Scotland:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/3839363.stm
Huge puffballs are not uncommon here in New York state, and I've harvested and eaten a couple puffballs here that were almost as big as that Scottish one in the news photo.