EAT SHITAKE

Today on the drive home I noticed a marvel growing in a neighborhood yard.  A nice little row of white fungus growing along what appears to be the underground root of a dying sugar maple.  Actually the amount of shroom was not so little as it turns out.  I was pretty sure it was the elusive oyster mushroom.  OK so its not really shitake as the titled indicates rather Pleurotus ostreatus or Oyster Mushroom, but it's still a catchy title.  I pulled into the driveway in my gray Jeep Liberty CRD in full Army camo uniform, walked up to the house and rang the doorbell.  A young man in shirt and tie answered the door with a aura of confusion on his face.  Of course this confused look was amplified when I asked him, "please may I gather the mushrooms from your front yard?".  He said something among the line of "knock yourself out" and promptly closed the door.  I "harvested" 3lbs. and 1oz. from this neighborhood yard and brought it home where I positively identified it as Oyster Mushroom.

PREPARATION:
Sara and I both tried a piece raw and I must say it is a rather bland tasting mushroom.  I say bland compared to the Hen of the Woods we have been eating lately.  I sauteed several pieces also...yup still bland but pleasant.  I cleaned and pared away the inedible areas then sauteed some and boiled the rest before vacuum sealing and freezing.  I also am drying a small sample (maybe 1/2 lb).