Picking stuff in the forest and eating it

Chanterelle

Last weekend we took two hikes into the forest looking for chanterelles.  We found one (pictured above).  Notwithstanding our lack of success in mushroom hunting, we do, in fact, enjoy the foraging that many Norwegians look forward to each late summer/early fall.  These days, walks in the forest include seeing folks walking with little buckets for mushrooms or berries.  We are among 'em. 




Berry Geeks?


Picking berries and mushrooms is a popular pastime here.  You can buy berry rakes to help with picking blueberries, especially, but Tove and I have only picked by hand.  The local authorities provide free testing of mushrooms to ensure that your 'shrooms are safe.  The university sponsors mushroom hunts with experts to help with picking only safe fungi.  Brilliant sun and clear skies add to the enjoyment.



Last Saturday  Forest view toward town.




Searching for Chaterelles (they like to grow under fir trees)




Last Sunday.  We picked lingonberries while looking for chanterelles.  Bright afternoon sun washed out Tove's face.




See the blueberries?





Wild strawberries





Lingonberries

 While looking for chanterelles we came across other fungi that looked a little scary:



blue mushrooms?

  In addition to wild berries, we picked cultivated red currants ("rips" in Norwegian) and black currants ("solbær") at Tove's cousin Paula's home in Malvik.  Red currants are beautiful little berries.  They are delicious fresh with vanilla sauce.  Black currants have a wonderful tart, woodsy flavor and make very good jam, but also delicious fresh.  We picked large amounts of both.  We froze some and made jams, too.



Black currants.




Ready for the freezer.

 If you come visit us during this time of year, you WILL be picking stuff in the forest and eating it.