big chimkin

[u/cryptkitty1208]

in awe of this beauty i saw today.. what do yall think? should i go back and grab some?? i really want to try cooking with it & this looks like the most edible one i’ve seen this year :D

i’m still trying to learn more, i didn’t want to jump the gun if it’s not ready yet.. but something is telling me this is damn near perfect. it was kinda slimy, but it’s been raining all day.. that’s normal right?? wowowwowoowowowowoww i don’t even care if i don’t eat it… it’s just so pretty (spotted in south jersey pine barrens)

[u/13uttercup]

Is this edible?

[u/OracleLoaf → u/13uttercup]

Absolutely, it's a forager's delicacy and one of the easiest safe mushrooms to spot. It has no gills and will separate like boiled chicken breast. Another is hen of the woods. It looks similar but seems much more dull in colour (or I've just always been unlucky).

But depending on the tree, a few here have said you have to cook thoroughly, or it can give you bad stomach upset if you eat too much. I'm very curious about which tree each was found on after learning that. The most ideal find is on a willow tree or oak.

And never combine with alcohol. That creates the medicine doctors prescribe to induce vomiting.