Morel Hunting

In northern Michigan, morel hunting is a favorite pastime. There are even Morel Festivals that you can attend! After winter is finally over, people head out into the woods and hunt for these delectable treats. One never knows if he or she will be successful in finding any morels, but if the temperature and rainfall have been just right, it is very possible to pick more than you can carry. But don't count on finding them in the exact same spot that you did last year, as they will not always be there. Morel hunters who are unsuccessful can be just like fishermen explaining "the one that got away" - the weather wasn't right, it has been too dry, or it's just not the right time of year. And the hunters who are successful make sure everyone knows about it (although they seldom divulge information as to where they picked them)!

Morels can be found from spring to early summer. They are found  in a variety of places, including moist woodlands, near dead trees, and in river bottoms. Morels are easy to recognize and delicious to eat, making them very popular in this area. Morels can range anywhere from 2 to 12 inches tall and come in three types: The common morel (Morchella esculenta) which is what you will commonly find in the woods of northern Michigan, the black morel (Morchella elata), and the half-free morel (Morchella semilibera). To cook morels, cut them in half to check for insects. Wash carefully. Morels can be cooked in lots of different ways - be sure to check out the morel recipes! Their delicate flavor is brought out best by sauteing them in butter for about three to five minutes on each side.

Morel recipes

These books are available from amazon.com:


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