Robbie Sigona’s Produce Tips: Wild Chanterelle Mushrooms

Chanterelle mushrooms are the most popular and best selling wild mushroom we carry, and at $8.95/lb. (Reg. $19.99/lb.), they’re a steal! Prices will be up in a week or two, so get them while you can.

Produce Tips:

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  Wild Chanterelles at $8.95/lb. won't last long (valid Oct. 20-26, 2010)...the price will go up soon, so get 'em at this price while you can!

  Select mushrooms that are dry and fairly clean. Some Chanterelles can get quite wet while they grow, but you’ll lose all that moisture when you cook them. The first Chanterelles of the season are usually dry – a special bonus – so they let off less liquid (they have less water content) when cooked, making for a firmer texture and richer Chanterelle taste.

• Fresh Chanterelles should be bright and have a just-picked appearance. Older mushrooms get dark around the edges.

Serving Suggestions:

• Chanterelles are great sautéed and added to pastas, rice or egg omelets, and they’re also perfect as a side to meat, fish or poultry.

• Use a pastry brush to brush off any soil. You may also use a sponge that’s slightly wet, however you don’t want to get them too wet. If you do get Chanterelles that have been out in the rain, you can put them in the oven at 250F to slightly dry them out before they’re used for sautés.

• When sautéing, my Uncle Carmelo suggests using butter…it really adds to the flavor. He usually sautés Chanterelles alone or with a few sliced shallots…you don’t want to overpower the Chanterelle flavor.

• Quick Chanterelle Pasta Topping: After Chanterelles are sautéed and done, remove from skillet and set aside. To the skillet, add sherry or other fruity wine, and reduce by half. Reintroduce the Chanterelles and add a touch of cream for a great pasta topping.

• Try this recipe for Pumpkin and Chanterelle soup from our friend Luisa Ormonde of Lusia’s Catering!

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Robbie Sigona is our produce buyer. He works with local farmers and scours the market for the very best in fresh fruits and vegetables – some of you won’t find anywhere else.