Out on the trail, I came across one of my favorite beginner...

Puffball mushroom puffs a cloud of spores when touched The fungi are called puffballs because clouds of brown dust-like spores are emitted when the mature fruitbody bursts, or in response to impacts such as those of falling raindrops. | Latest Science

Who among us can resist the urge to poke a puffball? Puffballs are a group of mushrooms known for their unique method of spore dispersal - The Puff. When they mature and their spores are ready to spread their wings and leave the nest, any slight pressure will trigger the release of spores. Wind, raindrops, and a curious ranger can all cause spores to be released. Mature puffballs are a common sight in the early fall! P.S. These spores are harmless (as long as you are not inhaling massive quantit

Vegetarian Puffball Mushroom Parmesan

Remember our giant puffball mushroom video? Yeah, I cooked and ate that. Check out this video on making fried puffball steaks. This recipe is a mixture of several recommendations, mostly from my neighbor: Make thin cuts of mushroom steak (I did 1/2 in) Soak in water for several minutes to prevent shrinking (I skipped this step, but it might be helpful) Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet and fry steaks over medium heat, about 2-3 minutes per side Remember-- please make sure you understand l