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| Dryads Saddle (Polyporus squamosus) |
091. Go foraging and make something with the resulting finds.
I found it growing on a tree that had fallen across a stream in the area below (forgot to take a photo of it from far away):
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| Stream |
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| Me (left) walking along the river path |
There were countless insects - especially bees, beetles, hoverflies and butterflies (orange tips, commas, peacocks, and holly blues) - and the trees were ringing with all kinds of birds/birdsong. It was so beautiful and peaceful.
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| Comma Butterfly (Polygonia c-album) |
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| Peacock Butterfly (Inachis io) |
I also spotted a buzzard in the sky, being chased off by a carrion crow several times, as it was circling above.
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| Crow (Corvus corone) and Buzzard (Buteo buteo): After a swooping crow attack |
After collecting some Dryads Saddle and returning home, I then had to decide what to do with it.
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| Dryads Saddle, looking like pizza slices |
As I was preparing them for other people as well as myself, I decided to make something with a somewhat stronger flavour than the traditional "fried in butter and lemon" recipe. I opted for something similar to a vegan tagine in the end:
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| Using the Dryads Saddle |
Truthfully, these mushrooms are quite chewy when picked at the age (a little older) these were, but the flavour of them really came through and complimented the dish. Whilst I don't think I'd eat these regularly, I'm glad I tried them!
