Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Spiceman’s F.M. 1410 in Dallas ruminates on chanterelles

By Pegasus News wire

DALLAS — Louisiana Chanterelle Mushrooms

Fearless forager "Hammer" and crew could only get to this swimming pool of chanterelles by pirogue a.k.a. "Cajun canoe". Louisiana's chanterelle belt is centered directly above New Orleans on the north shore of Lake Ponchartrain then west towards Hammond, and swings east towards Slidell. It also exists further west into Lafayette and even further east into Mississippi. The mycelium and subsequent spawns move around, that's to say the 'shrooms are never in the exact same spot they were the year before. This year, Hammer went deeper into the swamp than previously to get them. Chanterelles may be found in and around New Orleans too. I remember spotting them from the street car in yards under oak trees of antebellum homes and getting off to pick them under oak trees on St. Charles Avenue, then on to Flaggon's Wine Bar a few blocks from my flat on Magazine St. to trade for wine and a cheese plat/plate. New Orleans City Park was the best inner-city chanterelle find. I worked a deal with the avid golfers on the links, golf balls for chanterelles, which one said he tee'd off a chanterelle on the last hole...not the best way to spread spores but I understood, I've tee'd off on all kinds of swamp 'shrooms and man... lezier les bon temps roulier cher!

This week at Spiceman's F-M 1410 (and the Web site), Spiceman be working on his summer "Crop Circle Specials":

Sweet White Corn of the "Silver Queen" ilk, so sweet you'll eat the silk.

Meanwhile, if your succotash is sufferin', I have some:

Baby Corn, Purple Hulls, Baby Lima Beans

Petite Haricots Vert/French Beans, Baby Zukes w/flower, Cubanelle and Banana Peppers, Baby Gold and/or Striped Beets, Baby Carrots

Figs, Italian varietal and limited arrival from Austin, Texas; Figs, Gold Celeste

Sunflower Sprouts, in living trays, Nasturtium Leaves, in living trays.

Source: Spiceman's F.M. 1410

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