Spiceman’s F.M. 1410 in Dallas anticipates arrival of magical mushroom

by PegNews wire

The Spiceman recites a poem to the magnificent morel.

DALLAS — The Morels are out !!! This I know...

Because on a large blonde Morel I stubbed my big toe

It was deep in the woods of the Old Fish Hatchery

Where I walk my dogs in my F.H. Haberdashery

There they were right in my path

Why? I don't know...you do the math

Give a mushroom no rhyme or reason

To fruit at my boot in or out of season

I gave up a long, long time ago

Trying to figure out how or why morels grow

I shared them with Alessio, he's my good friend

But when I revealead where I got them He exclaimed "OH MY GOD, IT'S THE END"!!!!

I told him "relax, relax you've had shrooms of this ilk"

No need to drink so many gallons of milk

Be calm, stay cool... everything's fine

have another glass or two of your fine Italian wine

Wild Asparagus, Fiddle Heads and Ramps

Like Morels and Nettles that grow about our camps

The Vestiges of Spring yield some yummy Bling Bling

But watch out for the nettles, they really can sting

Having said that, I sold out of early morels (verpa bohemica) and am waiting for the price to drop on the Morchella (true Morel) and plan to jump at the chance to procure some Gyromitra (false morels) which is a very intensely flavored version of morel type best sampled when prepared by the experienced chef.

Morel prices be they high or low...

by the weeked they will show.

Wild Leeks, aka RAMPS~ Of Appalachian Mountain origin (Virginia, Carolina, Tennessee) are perhaps the most beautiful of edible alliums/alliaceae I should've saved my words to spend on these instead of that silly poem so you'll just have to wait and see for yourself...arrive Wednesday in store by noon. My Chefs know all about them as I began receiving requests 2 weeks ago.

Fiddle Head Ferns~ I still have plenty of West Coast Fiddle Heads, The East Coast aren't too far off and it will be interesting for you to observe the difference between them (if you hold them up to you ear you can hear blue grass music).

Sea Beans ~ Are still healing their fleshy, succulent selves after a pummeling they got from a hail storm in Baja. Those crank up in about a month....next week, more salicornia from just south of California.

Nettles~ Common stinging Nettles, not Bull Nettles (I'd rather lay down in a bed of red ants than be stung by bull nettles) are vitamin rich and flavorful, maybe not to your liking but should be handled with gloves and better yet, as with false mores, sample when prepared by a pro.

Wild Asparagus~ I speak of Ornithogalum Pyrenaiceum, and not the domestic asparagus wild picked from the ditch...The short, 3- to 4-week season STARTS IN MAY! (They come fwum Fwance.)

Himalayan Truffles; Hedge Hogs, Yellow Foot, Black Trumpet Mushrooms are still available; Abalone Mushrooms are out until Friday. King Trumpets are on hand, as are Trumpet Royal, either the Domestic, Organic version or King Trumpets.

Maitake Mushrooms~ We all need to eat more of these. Possessing a plethora of nutraceutical values (B vitamins in spades, tri-omega amino fatty acids, immune boosters, anti-viral, anti-tumor) and pro-good humor and besides, they taste great.

Shiitake~ Whatshiitakinbout? Medium only, petites in maybe this weekend.

Jose Rico Greens and Lettuces~ I lean on poor old Jose too much to produce the things I have trouble getting from other growers like carrots and radishes which really don't do as well in his Gumbo (black clay) soils in Avalon, Texas (Navarro County). Navarro County has some sandy loam but he's not in it so forget about it. Here's what he's bringing every other day:

Water Cress, Baby (tender) Beet Tops, wild Arugula, regularugula, petite Lettuces (Lollo Rosa, Red Oak, Red and Green Romaine), Sunflower Sprouts, miscellaneous Micro Greens, Sorrel (put it in your blender with a pinch of salt, dash of white pepper, vegetable stock, shallots, and cream -- nice on salmon), cosmic Purple Carrots, very small, a good little garnish.

I have another grower in Dangerfield, Texas (sandy loam) about 2 1/2 hours east of Dallas that is ready to get started. He has some nice Blackberries, Blueberries, and cut Sunflowers comin' up soon. He will receive a large seed order from me soon that will begin which I hope to get in kind the type of produce selection that will change the complexion of the usual, East Texas availabilities.

Oh and FRESH SHELLED PEAS also begin about MAY.

Miniature Head Lettuces~ From Peru, still here for you. Cut the drama and get on your llama to come get these lettuces ADIEU!

Large "Yellow-Gold" Tomatoes~ no questions asked.

Artichoke Tulips~ Are back in town.

Fresh Herbs~ Basil, Chervil, Chives, Marjoram, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon, Thyme. Retail quantities are available by request, e.g. $1 or $2 dollars worth of this or that. I'm working on expanding this list to match what I used to grow, i.e. Anise Hyssop, Lovage, Borage, Lemon THyme, Savory, etc... so much to do so little thyme.

OTHER SPRING VEGETABLES DUE IN THURSDAY OR FRIDAY THIS WEEK:

French Fillet Beans, Baby Carrots w/Tops, Baby Gold Beets.

Heirloom Tomato Update: From Pecos Grace is another 3 weeks before we get any new crop Heirlooms; hang in there. I am looking for other good tomato sources though not going to bite on the pedestrian "grape tomatoes".

Source: Spiceman's F.M. 1410