Processing and storage of oil after collection

Surely, each of us at least once in my life came across such fungi as butterfish. These beautiful fruit bodies with a characteristic brown oily film on their hats can conquer any fan of the “silent hunt”. Many experienced mushroom pickers agree that collecting oil in the forest is a pleasure. After all, it is known that these are very friendly representatives of the mushroom “kingdom” and do not like to grow individually. Therefore, next to one oiler, you can definitely find his "brothers."

Butterflies have excellent taste, being on a par with porcini mushrooms. In addition, they lend themselves perfectly to any processing processes that can be imagined with forest mushrooms: frying, pickling, pickling, drying and even freezing. It is not surprising that inexperienced mushroom pickers begin their “career” precisely with the collection of oils.

Harvest season: the best time for a “quiet hunt” (with video)

The time for collecting oil depends on the climate of a particular area. So, sometimes it happens that the first mushrooms can appear already in the early spring - in the month of April. After all, all they need for fruitful growth is light, heat and moisture. However, traditionally, the harvest season begins in late May - early June, and lasts until late autumn. I must say that after heavy rains, the oiler grows very quickly - in just 10-15 hours, the forest edge flooded with sunlight can be filled with a whole family of fruit bodies. Of course, September is considered the most favorable time for picking mushroom crops. It is noteworthy, but the oil is very resistant to differences in night and day air temperatures.

It is important not to miss the collection time, since for butterworms it is a favorite treat. Therefore, it is better to “hunt” for young mushrooms that have not yet had time to love insects. Below is a video of collecting oil, which clearly demonstrates when, where and how to do it correctly:

Rules for processing oil after harvest

Before you learn how to process the oil after collection, you need to familiarize yourself with several important rules. Firstly, each mushroom in the forest must be cut with a sharp knife, because tearing it out with our hands, we risk damaging the mycelium. This will lead to the fact that next year in this place you simply will not find a single mushroom. Secondly, cutting the wormy fruit body, do not throw it away, but plant it with the hat down on the nearest branch. You will be surprised to come to this place next time: a new crop will await you. Thirdly, collect oil only in proven places - away from the carriageway and industrial enterprises. This will protect you from poisoning, because these mushrooms well absorb harmful chemical compounds from the air.

So, how to handle butter mushrooms after harvest? Interestingly, experienced mushroom pickers advise starting this process back in the forest. On the oily caps of these fruiting bodies there is always a lot of dirt and debris. And if you carefully peel this film with a knife back in the forest, then you will greatly simplify your task when you get home.

However, if for some reason you were not able to start processing oil in the forest, then after returning home, do not delay this process. Why, then, start processing the oil after harvesting? The first thing to do is spread a newspaper on the floor or lay a cloth. Pour all the harvested crop from above and sort it out in size. Then you can begin the time-consuming process of cleaning a thin slippery film that badly stains your hands. I must say that for this process it is recommended to use rubber gloves to help you keep your hands as clean as possible.

The primary processing of oil after collection should take place dry - they can not be soaked in water, unlike other mushrooms. You can take a dry sponge and carefully wipe each hat of the mushroom. But it’s better to do this with a knife: scrape off all visible impurities, remove the oily film, cut out rotten places and remove the remains of the mycelium from the leg. Only then can the mushrooms be placed in water for 20 minutes in order to remove the remaining dirt. A very effective way to get rid of oil from adhering debris is to treat it with boiling water. Put the peeled fruit bodies in a deep container, pour over with hot water and leave for a few minutes.

The next stage of processing will be cutting mushrooms oily. Small specimens can be left intact, and large ones can be cut into pieces. At the end, the mushrooms must be boiled in water with the addition of salt and citric acid. This process is mandatory and should last an average of 25 minutes.

But no matter how carefully you harvest the forest, you will still come across mushrooms with worms. What to do with worm oils after harvest? You do not need to throw them away: clean and put in salt water for 3 hours. Then the worms will float up and the larvae will sink to the bottom. Then just rinse the mushrooms with tap water and use them as you wish. I must say that such mushrooms are perfect for frying and frosts.

How much oil can be stored after harvest

Is it possible to store oil after collection and how much time is allowed for this? It is important to remember that the shelf life of fresh mushrooms is small. You can put them in the refrigerator for several hours. However, fresh oils are stored for no more than a day, otherwise the production of toxins will begin, which can cause serious poisoning when eaten. And how much oil can be stored after collection and appropriate heat treatment? In this case, the shelf life is increased significantly. Prepared mushrooms, depending on what further processing you have prepared for them, can be stored all winter. Ideal option for long-term storage is considered pickling or freezing.

So, what to do with oils after collection, having successfully completed the preparatory phase? In this situation, it would be wise to appeal to your taste and imagination. Based on this, feel free to take on the desired processing process.