FALL MUSHROOMS ARE POPPIN’

Sheepsheads are blooming in Will County. Sheepshead, or Hen-of-the-Woods, are an edible bracket fungus that grows near the bases of oak trees in September and October. They are a delicious edible mushroom, running a close second to the spring morel, but a lot easier to find. They grow in clusters on the ground at the bases of oak trees- I mean huge oak trees. If you can’t get both arms around the oak tree, that’s a good place to look for sheepsheads. They can range is size from 3 inches to 3 feet in diameter. If you find some, they are easy to cook and eat. Simply wash them in cold water, drain and put in the fridge overnight. Then break the petal brackets into bite sized pieces, dredge in beer batter and deep fry.

Check out the photos, then hit the woods and pick some of these tasty treats.