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Morel mushrooms, danger or delicacy?

The edible mushrooms they include many types. The chanterelles, wild mushrooms and oronja mushrooms are some of the best known. But today we come to talk to you about a somewhat special one: morel mushrooms. These are a delicacy for many people who love fungal products, but you also have to be very careful with them because they can be very toxic. Do you want to know what they are like and what steps you should follow to be able to enjoy them without problems in your recipes? Attentive!

Honeycomb-shaped, so are morel mushrooms

All the morel mushrooms, which is the common name given to morchellas, are one of the species of spring fungi. They are toxic in crude oil, so they require drying and prolonged cooking. Although if they are treated well they are a true delicacy in any recipe. 

Su taste is delicate and exquisite, but at first glance what stands out the most is its recognizable physique. First, there is the cylindrical foot or whitish trunk that supports the hat. And, secondly, there is the spherical or conical hat, 6 to 10 cm wide and pink in color, very characteristic, shaped like a honeycomb or beehive, hence its name. Its color varies between gray and beige. Also, your odor it is also quite nice.

Morel mushrooms
Morel mushrooms on earth | Source: Cestaysetas.com

Where can you find them?

These mushrooms also known as cagarrias, morels or murgles They are highly appreciated by the gourmets of our country and also by the French, since they are not very abundant and, therefore, have a very high price. They are found mainly in southern Europe and, in Spain in particular, they exist mainly in Castilla y Leon. Specifically, the province of Soria is one of the most important mycotourism markets and there is no lack of morel mushrooms. 

With enough rain, mild temperatures and the absence of wind, you can find this curious food. Although equally, it is difficult to find, since it appears in isolation and it is difficult to see it with the naked eye due to its size. 

Comenilla mushrooms
Comenilla Mushrooms | Source: Cestaysetas.com

The danger of its toxicity

These edible mushrooms have a high degree of toxicity y you should not eat them raw for nothing in the world, because they have thermolabile hemolysins (TLH) that can break down the cell membranes of our erythrocytes, platelets and / or leukocytes. To consume them, first you have to dry them well, then rehydrate them and, finally, cook them for about 30 minutes at a temperature of 70 to 90º C.

The best recipes

All the morel mushrooms consist of very aromatic, so you can combine it with liver or use them to sauces or flavoring foods. In addition, since they are hollow, you can also fill them with whatever you want, as in the case of the recipe that we leave you below.

Morels tempura stuffed with blood sausage

One of the simplest recipes to make and, at the same time exquisite, is the tempura of morels stuffed with blood sausage. To make it you need the mushrooms already rehydrated, one blood sausage from BurgosTwo carrots, a zucchini, sunflower oil, flour, egg Water. After having the ingredients ready, you just have to get down to work. First of all, you must develop the Tempura. And, for this, you have to mix the water with an egg yolk and the flour.

Second, it is the turn of the filling. You have to open the blood sausage lengthwise, discard the skin and sauté it in a pan for 4 minutes. Subsequently, peel the carrot and wash and cut the zucchini into elongated strips. Once all this is done, it is time to fill the morels with the blood sausage and pass them through the tempura, frying them in the hot sunflower oil. Finally, take the carrot and zucchini portions and repeat the operation. Y… Ready to eat and enjoy them!

Comenillas mushrooms
Morel mushrooms or Morel mushrooms inside | Source: Cestaysetas.com

This product has all the qualities to be a fungus of the most special. It's hard to find, it's aromatic, and it has a cartilaginous texture, among other things. Fans of mycology they have it clear, and you? Wouldn't you like to try the morel mushrooms? We, of course, recommend you do it and if it is with the recipe that we have told you much better. Of course, you have to be careful and follow the steps of dry, rehydrate and cook to end their toxicity and be able to make them a delicious and not dangerous food.

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