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Crab and Parmesan Stuffed Morels There are so many ways to stuff morels! Here's an approach we enjoyed at one of our Wine & Mushroom dinners. by John Lang Morchella snyderi. © RHMorrison (CC-BY-NC) (from inaturalist.org, obs. 359683855) Method Preheat oven to 375°F. Slice morels in half vertically, and clean out any grit inside. In a medium bowl, gently combine the precooked crab meat, mayonnaise, and Parmesan cheese to taste, being careful not to break up the crab lumps much. (Feel free to add lemon juice, chives, or seasonings.) Fill morel halves with the crab filling. Place the stuffed morels on a rimmed baking sheet, then bake at 375°F for about 12 to 15 minutes. The morels should be fully tender, piping hot all the way through, and the filling should be lightly browned on top. Let cool for a minute, and serve. Editor's Note : Alternatively, you can try steaming the morels before stuffing them, and then baking them after stuffed. Just ensure the morels are fully cooked before serving them. Recipe contributed: March 1995 Objective: Appetizer Total Time: About 30 mins Yield: 12 stuffed morels Suggested Mushrooms: Morel (Morchella sp.) Join FFSC or renew your membership to access the rest of this content. Join FFSC Login as an FFSC member to access the rest of this content. Login Ingredients 12 large fresh morels (or 12 dried morels, reconstituted and patted dry) 8 oz (1 cup) precooked lump crab meat (picked over for shell fragments) 3 to 4 Tbsp. mayonnaise (to bind the crab) 1/4 Cup grated Parmesan Cheese (plus a little extra) Previous Recipe All Recipes Next Recipe

News & Stories / Field Reports Reports from Italy in 2007 We can find wild mushrooms everywhere! This month a few of our members share recent fungi finds in restaurants and markets in Italy. Deb • November 1, 2007 Amanita caesarea. © Alan Rockefeller (from mushroomobserver.org) Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Foray to Mexico Adventures in Austria Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

News & Stories / Field Reports How Many Mushrooms in One Day? I have always wondered how many mushroom species it would be possible to see in one day in Santa Cruz County. Since this fall has been so exceptionally fruitful for mushrooms, I decided to give it a go… How else to find out? Christian Schwarz • December 26, 2014 Found on that day in 2014. © Christian Schwarz Antrodia sp. (a small, large-pored species on Santa Cruz Mtn. manzanita). © Christian Schwarz I chose this time of the year because the fall mushroom assemblage is rapidly transitioning into the winter assemblage, briefly bumping up easily-seen diversity during the period of overlap. Hunting had to be spread out over 4 days (eleven hours), but I’m quite sure that all the mushrooms I encountered could have been found on either the 18th or the 21st. I ended up with 270 species (not all identified to species, but recognizable RTUs). To find out what was found in Santa Cruz County on that day in 2014, visit my post on Tumblr: A Pseudo-Big Day in Santa Cruz , Notes of a Mycophile Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Citizen Science - Amateur Ain't a Dirty Word Field Reports Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

News & Stories / Writings Stories from the April 1, 2011 Issue of Duff FFSC Members who foraged far fetched a number of fun stories for the April 2011 issue of Duff ... Wendy Wells • April 1, 2011 The constellation Mycelius Kepler Telescope Finds More Than New Planets in Distant Space For a year and a half now, NASA’s Kepler space telescope has been staring at a group of about 146,000 stars located near the constellation Mycelius. In all that time, month in and month out, Kepler’s digital eyes have barely blinked. But some of the stars have. NASA believes this is due to solar winds carrying clouds of mushroom spores through space. And that’s exactly what Kepler was designed to see. During one of these close up sessions near the Amyloidia Galaxy, scientists were startled to see a fairy ring galaxy, perhaps the source of the clouds of mushroom spores. --Submitted by David Rust Rare and Exotic Mushrooms Found in Scotts Valley Many people were awed by the presence of rare and beautiful mushrooms in the Cacaoaceae family at the Scotts Valley Community Center on Saturday, 19 March 2011. Of all colors and shapes, these exotic mushrooms evoked many “ooooohs” and “aaaaahs” from the gala revelers assembled that evening. Cacaoaceae Theobrominus chinsonensis, Caffinocybe molnarii, and other rare species Especially memorable were big and beautiful specimens of Theobrominus chinsonensis and Caffinocybe molnarii . Edibility of these rare species was confirmed by the ravenous crowd, seemingly unconcerned with the possibility of confusion with poisonous species. Finding these fabulous fungi was a favorably fitting finale for a fun-filled fête of feasting and frolicking. --Submitted by Phil Carpenter, FFSC CEO and Science Advisor Button Mushrooms Found Growing in Trees In a rare moment for science, these Agaricus bisporus were found on a new host in an Oakland back yard. They are not believed to be parasitic. This remarkable discovery implies that common button mushrooms may be evolving to meet market demand for America’s salads. These mushrooms were sautéed with onions and chicken for a delightful dinner. The excited tree owners are looking forward to the next crop. --Submitted by David Rust Giant Snow Morels Found Near Pioneer The first Giant Snow Morels of the season were found near Pioneer on the Spring Equinox. You can clearly see them in the photo... --Submitted by Bill McGuire Brandi Discovers ‘Shrooms: A UCSC Student Adventure Follow Brandi’s spellbinding journey of mycological enlightenment on the BAMS website . Our sincere thanks to David Rust, who never fails to make us smile. We wait with bated breath for Part 2! Will Hugh Smith Ever Find Himself? Hugh Smith Looking for Hugh Smith. Photo by Hugh Smith --Submitted by Hugh Smith Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Stories from the April 1, 2009 Issue of Duff Writings Stories from the April 1, 2010 Issue of Duff Writings Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

News & Stories / Culinary Diva Steps Down After 4 years of dazzling FFSC members with outstanding culinary events, René Seltzer is relinquishing leadership of the culinary committee (not to be confused with any insider mushroom trading scandal)! Patria Brown • November 1, 2002 Full crowd at a Holiday Potluck. Photo by Debbie Johnson René's enthusiasm and culinary talent will not be missed however, as she will continue to support the committee in it's quest to further the fungal feast. Thank you René for all the time, energy and inspiration you give to us all. The culinary committee is beginning its new year under the artful leadership of Vernetta McGuire, with the assistance of Patria Brown and Marilyn Fenn. Patria will be writing the culinary page for the Duff. If you have any information or recipes you wish to contribute please send it in! If you have ever considered participating on the culinary committee now is a great time to get involved. Our first event is the Annual Holiday Potluck. There are many ways to help make the evening a magical holiday event. The set up and decorating starts at 3:30 PM. Anyone interested in helping can contact the Culinary Minister. Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Propagation of Propaganda Perpetuated... Letter from the Outgoing CEO Message from Our Outgoing CEO Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

2024 Fair Speakers Visitors at the 2024 Santa Cruz Fungus Fair were treated to great talks by these speakers. Talks: Friday: Mushroom Cooking Tips and Techniques Chef Bob Wynn FFSC Minister of Culinary and Sustenance Talks: Sunday: Mushrooms, Not Just for Breakfast Anymore Chef Chad Hyatt Chef and Author Talks: Friday: Mushrooms of Sea Islands, Sky Islands, & Dry Islands Saturday: Mushroom Bioregions of The United States Christian Schwarz Research Associate | UCSC Talks: Saturday: The top ten edible and poisonous wild mushrooms. Douglas Smith Photographer, Educator, and FFSC Science Advisor Talks: Saturday: Medicinal Mushrooms - Traditional Usage and Modern Science (Saturday) Sunday: Medicinal Mushrooms - Traditional Usage and Modern Science (Sunday) Dr. Bill Schoenbart Practitioner of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture Talks: Saturday: The Magic Mushroom Class Dr. Christopher Hobbs, Ph.D., L.Ac Faculty, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Talks: Sunday: Mushroom Cultivation: Passive and Active Systems Kyle Garrone Production Manager, Far West Fungi Talks: Saturday: A Multi-Generational Hobby Saturday: Family friendly Kid's Interactive Mushroom Cooking Demo Sunday: A Multi-Generational Hobby Melany Kahn Author, Painter, Film Producer Talks: Sunday: Exploring the Unknown: Cryptic Mushroom Diversity In Your Backyard Monday: California: Land of the Year Round Mushroom Forage Noah Siegel Speaker, Author, Mycologist Talks: Friday: Introduction to mushroom identification (Session I) Sunday: Introduction to Mushroom Identification (Session II) Sunday: Intro to Mushroom Identification (Session III) Phil Carpenter FFSC Science Advisor, NAMA Representative, and past CEO Talks: Sunday: Montane Biomes on the Brink Thea Chesney Naturalist Talks: Sunday: Introduction to mushroom cultivation Vellany Pierce FFSC Prime Minister

News & Stories / Field Reports 2006 Albion I Foray Species List There were 107 species identified this year, which is a fairly low number for the December. foray. In comparison, last year was the best year, and 158 species were identified. Douglas Smith • February 1, 2007 Aureoboletus mirabilis. © Douglas Smith (from mushroomobserver.org) Albion I 2006 collections. Photo by Douglas Smith Many people commented that it was an unusual year, the season was off, not quite going just yet. Many species were found this year that haven’t been seen for years. One strange fact is that only 8 new species were found this year. Usually 15-20% of the species ID’d were new species not seen before, but this year there were only a few. Makes me wonder if we are getting close to seeing all the species that are possible up there, but I’m sure that is not true. If we could get better with Ramaria and Cortinarius we could have had a dozen more species on this list. Full species list below. Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts 2007 Spring Foray Species List 2007 NAMA Annual Foray Report Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

A Little Buggy. Photo by Karen Hilker A Little Buggy Karen Hilker During a walk in the Sierra, I snapped some pictures of a light tan blob on a charred tree... Camera Canon PowerShot S3 IS Focal L. 6mm Aperture f/2.7 Shutter Sp. 1/200s ISO Flash Off Photo taken on July 8, 2011 Mushroom(s) ... Previous Photo Back to Gallery Next Photo

News & Stories / Field Reports 2018 December Albion Foray Species List We didn't have much rain, but we found many smaller mushrooms. Katherine (Kitty) Elvin • January 4, 2019 Gomphidius in the Rain. Photo by Jim Austin Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts 2016 March Sierra Report Field Reports 2016 Alaska Foray Field Report Field Reports Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

News & Stories / Editoricus Blatheronsus: On Risk and Release Forms The return of fall means many things to many people. To me it means the reappearance of many wonderful things that make my life worth living. Larry Payne • September 1, 2000 Chlorophyllum molybdites. © elliottchariton (CC-BY-NC) (inaturalist.org, obs. 393024338) Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

News & Stories / Stewardship Message from Our Outgoing CEO It has been a distinct pleasure and honor to serve our club as CEO over the past four year. I must admit I accepted the job with considerable trepidation. With assurances from the other ministers (Henry Young in particular) that they would assist me if needed, I entered my name in the election. Bill White • May 1, 2009 Bill White It was a runaway victory made possible by the fact that no one else ran. As we come to the end of our FFSC fiscal year I have decided not run again for the CEO position. I think a new CEO can bring fresh ideas and energy to the task and help the club to continue to grow and prosper. I plan to stay involved with the club and will see you at the meetings and events. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and camaraderie. Minister positions are made even more enjoyable by the monthly Minister meetings at each others’ homes for dinner and FFSC business. It creates a fine opportunity to learn more about the club history as well as the other ministers. The food and wine make it even more fun. At the May general meeting the FFSC is holding elections for minister positions. I encourage all of you to attend and consider volunteering as a minister. Step-up and give some of your energy and time to help the club meet its goals for the community by entering your name for one of the open Minister positions. You will enjoy it as much as I have. Several Ministers are due special recognition for their contribution to the FFSC. Vernetta McGuire, our Minister of Culinary Events (with the capable assistance of hubby Bill) for her tireless efforts planning and executing the Christmas potluck and the highly admired Wine & Mushroom Feast. We owe her a debt of gratitude for her years of service to the FFSC. Margaret Carpenter and Richard Lyness are co-ministers taking on the challenges of the Culinary Committee. Monise Sheehan has worked diligently as the Minister of Stores for six years, generating considerable revenue for the club. She is stepping down and I must admit that she will be missed and difficult to replace. This is an extremely important position that provides the main source of revenue for the club. We are seeking a person who can follow her example and continue to coordinate our main finance source. The other Ministers are due their recognition too but I cannot put them all in this short piece. My apologies that I cannot detail the contributions of Marge Young, Richard Rammer, John Brown, and all of the other Ministers who give their energies tirelessly to make this club one of the premier clubs in NAMA. Our April speaker, Dr. Elio Schaechter, commented that the FFSC is different and more dynamic than most other myco-clubs he has visited. I suspected as much but his comments confirmed it for me. And his opinion is shared around the country — the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz is special. This is because of our members and the way the FFSC conducts business. We want you to help perpetuate our image with your involvement in setting goals, policies and activities. Come get more involved and expand your enjoyment of the FFSC by becoming a Minister. Bill White CEO Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Message From Our Incoming CEO 2009 Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

News & Stories / The Largest Living Organism is a Fungus! Beneath the soil of the Malheur National Forest in eastern Oregon, a fungus that has been slowly weaving its way through the roots of the trees for centuries has become the largest living organism ever found. Madeleine Wyke • January 1, 2001 Armillaria ostoyae. © Fern (CC-BY-NC) (inaturalist.org, obs. 249114389) The Armillaria ostoyae , popularly known as the honey mushroom, started from a single spore and has been spreading its filaments through the forest for an estimated 2,400 years, killing trees as it grows. It now covers 2,200 acres. The outline of the giant fungus stretches 3.5 miles across, and it extends an average of 3 feet into the ground. It covers an area as big as 1,665 football fields. No one has estimated its weight. On the surface the only evidence of the fungus are clumps of golden edible mushrooms that pop up in the fall with the rain. Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article