”I stumbled upon the white Elfin Saddle (Helvella crispa) bursting out alongside paths in a deciduous woodland. It seems to thrive in the fringes, often near where rotting leaves are piled up in the soil. It resembles an albino werewolf emerging from the ground, making it an appropriate subject for Halloween. While most sources claim this fungus is inedible and poisonous, there are those who suggest cooking it well and discarding the water or even avoiding breathing in whilst cooking. This method is risky and given the tasting notes are poor I think why bother.
GeorgeFlavour Fred
The origins of Halloween can be traced back to a religious Pagan festival called “Samhain,” an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition that marked the beginning of the dark half of the year. During this time, barriers between the physical and spirit worlds were believed to break down, allowing for interactions between humans and beings from other realms. I always spot this around Samhain and it speaks to me reminding me of this important period in the calendar
This otherworldly-looking mushroom is often described as “globular with lobes,”. One of my favourite descriptive terms as i think of it exploding and howling from the forest floor. Its presence alone is spooky enough, and it contains a dangerous compound called “Gyromitrin.” When heated or placed in acid, Gyromitrin forms “monomethylhydrazine,” a fuel used by NASA to power rockets. Interestingly, another genus known for this compound is “Gyromitra,” which is closely related to “Helvella.”
Well, there it is, a werewolf erupting from the underworld, named Helvella. That’s my contribution to today’s festivities. I’ll probably skip the pumpkins and instead focus on turnip carving, offerings for faeries, and imagining shape-shifting creatures.
