Mushroom Hunting at Greenleaf (State Park #65!)

The boys and I hit our 65th MN State Park this past weekend. We figured it could be a dud as it only had a lake and 1 hiking path. But we discovered mushrooming.

Henry spotted the first puffball mushroom under those branches!


Our find.


The boys with our 2 new older lady friends.

We had the park to ourselves for a while, and then we heard 2 ladies show up. Shortly after is when we found the puffball, so the boys wanted to go show the ladies. And then we all hung out for the next 30 minutes or so as the women were excited to see every new mushroom the boys were yelling about finding! We saw about a dozen different varities out there! Seriously! But I don't know much about mushrooms, so we only picked the puffball to take home to eat.

Henry also found a smaller puffball that he gave to the ladies so they could try cooking it. They loved that. I think they boys really entertained them.

A few of the mushrooms we spotted.


Our puffball at home. It was 16 oz.


First we breaded it and fried it. It was like a
super "soft" chicken breast. Not bad. I'd give it a B-.


Then I seasoned and grilled a slice like a burger. It was too mushy/soft. No thanks. C-.


But THIS was a winner! I sliced it thin as if it were lasagna noodles. Quite good! A-!!

I haven't made lasagna for a long time, but I could not taste a difference between that mushroom and regular lasanga noodles. It was a great use of that puffball. I would do that again in a heartbeat.

We only have Minneopa State Park in Mankato left to hit, as well as many on the North Shore. We have a fall trip planned up north that may just result in us completing our MN State Parks Passport book!