Tis the season for Bears Head and Combtooth.

[Red Bullets]

Don't forget to be looking for this delicious fungi during your fall forays into the woods. These fungii are considered to be the poor man's lobster. Also known as a mind tonic.

Prep: vigorously wash in cold water, if needed, and squeeze out excess moisture.(u can squeeze them like a sponge)

Saute until most moisture is gone and add butter. Continue cooking for a few minutes and then lastly add garlic. Blindfold your dinner guests and they will think they are eating lobster.

[waterninja]

You know, in all my years of mushroom hunting I have never tried these ones. As a matter of fact, I can't recall ever seeing any. I'll keep my eyes open. I'm out in the field a lot these days.

[calgarychef]

Sauté with garlic, hit it with some cream....simmer and put it on toast. You'll be amazed.

[alacringa]

About a month past the time when I usually find them near Calgary. With the dry conditions this year, I never saw any (and I know areas where I can collect them by the pound when conditions are good). Hopefully next year brings us more rain.

[jan]

Just back from mushroom club foray(35 members show up) we are stay Weald group camp by Edson. Very dry conditions,not many mushroom this year.
As you ask Comb tooth they are very tasty. Scale of 10 comb tooth make 9.

[grouse_hunter]

Originally Posted by waterninja

You know, in all my years of mushroom hunting I have never tried these ones. As a matter of fact, I can't recall ever seeing any. I'll keep my eyes open. I'm out in the field a lot these days.

My friend found one near my place last year. Underside of a decaying log. The log was close to the ground, but not touching it. The mushroom was huge. Around 16-18 inches in diameter. I was very surprised to see that it had absolutely no larvae in it. One of the best tasting mushrooms I've ever eaten. We fried in in butter with some onion and then finished off with cream and garlic.

[waterninja]

Originally Posted by jan

Just back from mushroom club foray(35 members show up) we are stay Weald group camp by Edson. Very dry conditions,not many mushroom this year.
As you ask Comb tooth they are very tasty. Scale of 10 comb tooth make 9.

Is this the Alberta Mychological Society out of Edmonton?

[Red Bullets]

Originally Posted by grouse_hunter

My friend found one near my place last year. Underside of a decaying log. The log was close to the ground, but not touching it. The mushroom was huge. Around 16-18 inches in diameter. I was very surprised to see that it had absolutely no larvae in it. One of the best tasting mushrooms I've ever eaten. We fried in in butter with some onion and then finished off with cream and garlic.

Combtooth will come back to the same places every year so go back to that log for more this year.

[Red Bullets]

Originally Posted by alacringa

About a month past the time when I usually find them near Calgary. With the dry conditions this year, I never saw any (and I know areas where I can collect them by the pound when conditions are good). Hopefully next year brings us more rain.

The combtooth season goes until Oct/Nov so the season may still produce. Go to shady areas the sun doesn't hit and check the underside of fallen logs.

[Drewski Canuck]

I work with one of the Head Shroomers at the Alberta Mycological Society. He is a great guy, a bit quirky at times, but a good friend.

He put me onto these mushrooms a year ago when I located lots of them last July / August but was not sure what they were.

Sure enough, same time same place, as much as before if not more. I am talking the Rubbermaid short tub more.

I am told I am allergic to mushrooms, but I love picking them. As such, the family eats well. They approve, but did not think they were mushrooms at all.

Never looked at the spot in the fall though ...

Drewski

[jan]

Originally Posted by waterninja

Is this the Alberta Mychological Society out of Edmonton?

Correct, family membership cost $40.

[grouse_hunter]

Originally Posted by Red Bullets

Combtooth will come back to the same places every year so go back to that log for more this year.

Thank you for the great advice! I checked the same location and not only did I pick another huge mushroom but I also harvested a few smaller clusters from the same log. The mycelium seems to be doing well. Tomorrow I will drag/push a few un-colonized logs to the "honey log". I'll ensure that they are in direct contact and hopefully the micelium will spread. Not a true mushroom farm but a chance at higher yields nevertheless!