A feast under the hedge
I have been surprise to find that the puffballs, normally only available in September are already out and doing really well in July. The combination of warm damp ( well wet) weather has done its stuff and the fungi are popping up all over.
It is best to harvest after a dryish spell as they do absorb a lot of water. Also, do take care that dogs on walkies have not had access to them, I am sure they will not add anything to the flavour.
Once collected cut up with a bread knife into slices and fry in butter with salt, pepper and sliced garlic. If you want a bit of spice add some chilli pepper ( dried or fresh). Cook until the puffball is lighly browned. If the fungi has a lot of water in it you can slice it up and put it in a low oven ( around 40 C) for a few hours to dry out. Once cooked the puffball can be frozen and will keep well.
Rural idyller
Interesting! We have similar puff balls here (in the U.S. Midwest) that sometimes appear like magic after a rain, but I’d never heard of anyone eating them, so I had always assumed they were poisonous. How delightful to hear that yours can be cooked up and even frozen for later! I wonder if our varieties might be edible? Something to look up! (Of course, we never eat any fungi unless absolutely certain we have correctly identified it as something known to be safe.)
Thanks for posting. 🙂