Day of the Mushroom is all about celebrating and bringing awareness to all edible fungi and those who enjoy them in their everyday meals. Mushrooms are the most sustainable out of all foods in the US with many health benefits such as improving heart health and eliminating free radicals.¹^,²

Mushrooms first came about during the 19th century when French chefs began to use them. They became well known and used in many meals around the world.

What’s great about mushrooms is that they come in all shapes and sizes and unique flavors! Their earthiness can be an acquired taste, but mushrooms can add so much texture, heartiness, and flavor to any dish!

A few of our favorite varieties include Oyster, Morel, Shiitake, Chanterelles, Lions Mane, Chicken of the Woods, Portobello, and Truffle [which is one of the most expensive mushrooms because they are hard to find & grow and do not keep well for a long length of time.

Not only are mushrooms wonderful to eat but it is so fun to forage for mushrooms if you know where to find the edible ones! With lots of edible mushrooms but also poisonous look-alikes, ALWAYS do your research and seek the guidance of a trained mycologist or mushroom expert before eating any in the wild. You can take foraging classes and they have wonderful books out there to help as well such as 100 Edible Mushrooms.

Photo by: Hamama Happiness Team Member, Carolyn

~Foraged Chicken of the Woods Mushroom

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms: Hamama Happiness Team Member, Carolyn

Olive Oil & Garlic Based Mushroom, Shallot, & Radish Microgreens Pizza: Hamama Happiness Team Member, Carolyn

Wild Teriyaki Mushrooms: Hamama Grower, Sophak Op

 Mushroom Spinach Risotto: Hamama Grower, Troy Rupp

Mixed Mushroom Noodle Bowl: Hamama Happiness Manager, Allie

 Broccoli Microgreens with Hungarian Mushroom Soup: Hamama Grower, The Healthy GourMeg

Herby Microgreen Barley Salad with Butter Browned Mushrooms & Shallots: Hamama Happiness Team Member, Carolyn

Micro Broccoli Mushroom Pasta: Hamama Grower, Jillian Krebsbach

Vegan French Onion Soup with Wild Mushrooms: Hamama Happiness Team Member, Carolyn

King Oyster Buckwheat Noodle Stir Fry: Hamama Friend Group, Sophak Op

Vegetarian Mushroom & Onion Pot Pie: Hamama Happiness Team Member, Carolyn

Sources:

• Robinson, B., Winans, K., Kendall, A. et al. Int J Life Cycle Assess (2019) 24: 456. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-018-1456-6.

• “Mushroom Nutrition.” The Mushroom Council, 2015, www.mushroomcouncil.com/nutrition-benefits/.