Chanterelles are one of the most famous and useful mushrooms, which differ in a rather unusual appearance. The chanterelle family includes many representatives with an unusual color. One of such representatives is black chanterelles (Crowhorn) - mushrooms special in their appearance, the characteristic color and shape of which are presented in the photo below.
Content
Characteristic features of the variety: structure, species differences, appearance and photo
This variety of mushrooms has a distinctive appearance and impressive color:
- The hat. The diameter of the tube-shaped hat varies between 3-15 cm. The hat has a waxy surface, uneven and turned away edges, smoothly passes into the leg. The inner side is fibrous and wrinkled, has a black-brown or black color.
On the outside of the hat with a gray or purple bloom there are many large folds. In dry weather, it becomes gray-brown or light brown. Spore powder is white or light yellow. The size of smooth and colorless spores - 8 - 14 × 5 - 9 microns, have an ovoid or ellipsoidal shape.
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- Pulp. The flesh is brittle and very thin, gray, blackening after boiling. It does not smell raw. The smell manifests itself during drying and heat treatment.
- Leg. The length of the leg is 5-10 cm, the diameter is 1-1.5 cm. The leg is hollow, painted gray. Tapers smoothly from the base to the root. Painted in brown or black, hard to touch.
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Habitat
These mushrooms grow in deciduous and mixed forests, examples of which can be seen in the photo. The main condition - this should be places with high humidity. They grow in groups, less often - in colonies.
The distribution area in Russia is the European part, the southern part of Siberia, and the Far East. In addition, they are found in temperate forests in Europe and North America.
Eating
This species belongs to edible mushrooms, but only hats are used for food, since the legs are very stiff and resemble rubber. After pre-treatment, the hats are used in cooking in boiled and dried form for soups, seasonings and as a side dish.
Rules and gathering places
For chanterelles you need to go to the coniferous or mixed forest from early July to late September, preferably in wet weather. In the beginning of summer, they only appear, and in July and August there is an opportunity to collect a richer crop. They can grow both in open glades and in the shade of trees. It is not recommended to pick mushrooms grown near the tracks - they can be dangerous.
You may be interested in:Chanterelles most often grow in clusters. Therefore, if you notice one mushroom, it is worth exploring the nearest places under the leaves, moss and needles on the ground. Cut them neatly with a sharp knife, without touching their roots.
Types and their description
There are two species that have horn-like external characteristics similar to Voronochnik, they are represented by Voronochnik sinuous and Urna goblet. The first belongs to the chanterelle family.
Its fruiting body has a cupped, and sometimes tubular, shape. It can reach 5-12 cm in height. As with black chanterelles, the leg tapers to the base. The hat is wavy at the edges, resembles a deep funnel with a diameter of 3-8 cm.
The Urna goblet has less resemblance to the chanterelles. The fruit body is shaped like a glass or an egg. It is closed, but with age it opens, acquires torn edges. The diameter of the hat varies from 2 to 6 cm. The hat of Urnula is dark inside and lighter on the outside. The pulp is dry and very strong.
Useful properties and restrictions for use
Chanterelles contain many useful trace elements, including zinc and copper, amino acids and vitamins, including A, B1, B2 and PP, selenium. Such a composition contributes to the preservation and improvement of vision and is an excellent prevention against eye diseases.
Vitamins contained in chanterelles also improve the condition of the mucous membranes of the eyes, moisturize them, and prevent the development of infectious diseases. Chanterelles are used in medicine to treat liver diseases, in particular for the treatment of hepatitis C. Indirectly, they can also help in the fight against excess weight, which occurs due to insufficient liver function.
Representatives of this species contain a special substance - quinomannose. It is actively used to treat abscesses, boils and sore throats, and helps to inhibit the growth of tubercle bacillus. For medicinal purposes, this substance should be used in the form of a powder, capsules or tincture.
You may be interested in:Considered mushrooms are useful for diabetes. In addition, the enzymes that are contained in them contribute to the restoration of pancreatic cells. However, when eating them for this purpose, people suffering from pancreatitis and inflammation of the digestive organs should refrain from using them in the diet or eat in extremely limited quantities.
Chanterelles are also contraindicated in children under 3 years old and in people with individual intolerance to this product. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also refrain from using them in food.
Recipes and cooking features
Chanterelles are easy to prepare, and their preparation does not take much time. Here are some recipes:
- In order to cook one of the popular diet, but at the same time delicious dishes - chicken fillet with chanterelles, you will need the following ingredients:
- onion;
- sour cream;
- greenery;
- vegetable oil;
- grated cheese;
- salt and pepper to taste.
Chicken fillet with chanterelles
Sauté the mushrooms with finely chopped onions in vegetable oil. Salt the chicken fillet, add pepper and fry before a light crust appears on it. Cover the fillet with the fried mushroom mass, season with sour cream or unsweetened yogurt, sprinkle with cheese and herbs. Put the fillet in a pan and bake for 5-10 minutes until the dish is fully cooked.
- An equally simple recipe is meatloaf with black mushrooms. To prepare it you will need:
- 1 kg of minced meat;
- 300 g of mushrooms;
- 2-3 potatoes;
- 100 g semolina;
- 1 egg
- 150 ml of water;
- 200-300 g of boiled rice;
- black pepper;
- salt.
Black mushroom meatloaf
Grate the potatoes on a fine grater and cook the minced meat, mixing it with semolina, grated potatoes, water, pepper and an egg. Fry the chanterelles with onions, salt them and add pepper. Take the baking foil and put the minced meat on it. Spread pre-boiled rice and fried mushrooms on top of it. Wrap the foil tightly and lay the resulting roll on a baking sheet. Bake it in the oven for 35 minutes, at 200˚C.
Before serving the dish on the table, the roll can be cut into equal slices and put on a plate. If several mushrooms remain unused, they can be laid out in the center of the plate. This roll can be eaten with mashed potatoes, salads and fresh vegetables.
Answers to Common Questions
Frequently asked questions are related to the unusual appearance of mushrooms and the possibilities of their use in cooking:
Black chanterelles are not only unusual representatives of the chanterelle family, but also ingredients that are actively used in medicine and cooking. They are easy to process and prepare, have a lot of useful properties. Subject to collection rules and subsequent moderate use in food, they will add variety to the daily menu.
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