puffball!

[7rider]

I had mentioned this to Lisa via PM, and now I thought I'd share it with the group...since we all survived!
DH found a humongous puffball in our backyard on Thursday (that's him, holding it in the picture (cellphone camera - sorry for the quality)). He was very excited, as it's been the topic of several conversations recently.
We had a few friends over on Friday for a dinner party....and as Lisa did, we cut up the puffball, dredged in eggwash and breadcrumbs and munched away. We also tried some sauteed (sp?) in a little butter and olive oil with some balsamic vinegar on the side (I used to marinate portabella caps for the grill with that, so figured, what the hay?). All were yummy, but I think my favorite way was the next morning, when I cut up a few slices into cubes, fried them up in butter, and then added them to scrambled eggs and cheese. Subtle, and very good. (and yes, Lisa, after friday night, I ended up peeling off the skin).
We gave a big hunk to a neighbor (who wants some of the soil where it came from in the hopes of propogating some more), but then we were stuck with "what do we do with the rest of it?" We actually had TWO puffballs...the big one, and then one the size of a grapefruit that was attached to it. So...I did some google searches, and found out that you could dry and pulverize it and use the powder as flavoring in future dishes. So I did. Our oven has an awesome drying function, so the pictures below also show the slices drying in the oven and grinding into powder (I filled that peanut butter jar....although I suspect it will settle a bit lower). I may try some in the Thanksgiving gravy.
We have our friends all on puffball hunts now!