Wild mushroom picking tour & preserving - March 15

   

Autumn is around the corner and that means it's time to go into the wilderness to pick mushrooms! Mushroom picking is now becoming a tradition for Permaculture Sydney North and for the fifth year in a row the Living Skills Autumn program will start with a mushroom picking tour beyond Blue Mountains.

We will go to one of the State Forests, identify and collect edible mushrooms, then prepare a scrumptious lunch and also learn how to preserve the bounty. There will be food samples for the adventurous to taste (pickled mushrooms and dumplings made using dried mushrooms) and we will pickle the smallest mushrooms.

Your guide will be Margaret Mossakowska. She has been picking mushrooms all her life (both in Poland and in Australia) and has learned the skill of cooking and preserving mushrooms in various ways from her mother. The most common and aromatic wild edible mushrooms to be found around Sydney are Saffron Caps and Slippery Jacks, which can be found in pine forests. They are easily identified (also recommended by the State Forests), but just to be sure, Margaret will check all finds in your baskets.

WHAT TO BRING
Small knife, fork, eating bowl/plate, water, drinks (wine if you wish), and a perforated container for collected mushrooms (wicker or plastic baskets are the best). Be warned that we do pick a lot so don’t bring something too small.

If you would like to pickle some of your harvest, bring a few sterilised jars (300-500g size) with lids.
 
Please wear good shoes and warm clothes, including rain gear.
 
If you would like to register please click the button to the left or email mmossakowska@yahoo.com.au