How to cook hedgehog mushrooms. Description of the yellow blackberry, distribution, photo. Similar types and differences from them

Blackberries or blackberries are called mushrooms, which were previously classified as belonging to the Gidnum family, but today they belong to different families and genera. There are many types of hedgehog. The most common will be discussed in our article.

Are hedgehogs edible?

Not all types of hedgehogs are of interest to mushroom pickers. Among the many varieties there are edible, conditionally edible and inedible. They do not contain toxic substances. The taste qualities of all hedgehogs are not very high. To taste, they are somewhat reminiscent of mushrooms or chanterelles. These mushrooms are best consumed at a young age.

Types of mushrooms and their description

Read the description and photos of various varieties of hedgehog, as well as recommendations for their use.

Edible

Among the edible, six species are most common. Below you will find a brief description of them. Alpine. Mushrooms of this species reach sizes from 5 to 30 cm. They are light, but darken over time and acquire a dirty shade. They are many branches with spikes in the form of cones 2 cm long, placed on a low stem. Usually representatives of the alpine variety live on fir trees, but they can also coexist with other conifers. Most often come across in mountainous areas from mid-summer to mid-autumn.
White. White hedgehog is often confused with another variety - yellow hedgehog, because it looks like its small copy, only with a white or yellowish hat. It has a diameter of 5 to 12 cm. In young specimens, it is slightly convex, with ends bent down. In old age, it becomes prostrate with a notch in the middle. On the lower part there are short spines of a whitish or pinkish color.

They go on a leg, which reaches a height of 6 cm and a width of 3 cm. It is painted white. The flesh is white, pleasant in taste and smell, has fruity notes. It is more rigid than that of the yellow urchin. Appears in almost all types of forests in North America, Eurasia. Forms mycorrhiza with conifers. It grows only on calcareous soils, suitable for cooking, frying, salting, drying.
Comb. The representative of this species has an interesting appearance, due to which it cannot be confused with any other mushroom - the fruiting body is formed in the form of many falling scallops up to 25 cm long in beige, cream, yellow, white colors. Its weight reaches two kilograms. The shape is round or irregular. The pulp is fleshy, painted white. Mushroom during the "quiet hunt" comes across very rarely. It can be seen on tree trunks, in faults in the Crimea, the Far East and China.
Appearance time - late summer-mid-autumn. Due to its original appearance, it has many other names - lion's mane, monkey's head, mushroom noodles, grandfather's beard. It is used in Chinese folk medicine to strengthen the immune system and treat gastrointestinal diseases, as well as an antiseptic. This is one of the most delicious representatives of hedgehogs. Its taste is somewhat similar to shrimp or crab meat. In the food industry, it is used as a flavoring additive.

Did you know? Specialists are constantly studying the antitumor effect of Hericium erinaceus. In Russia, this is done by employees of the State Research Institute for the Search for New Antibiotics. G.F Gause RAMS and the Institute of Organic Chemistry. N. D. Zelinsky. Conducted experiments on laboratory mice proved that the aqueous extract of the fungus is able to inhibit tumor growth and prolong the life of animals.

Yellow. The most common representative of the hedgehogs. It has a cap, reaching a diameter of 4 to 15 cm. At a young age, it is painted in light shades of red or orange. In mature - becomes darker. At first it is convex, and by the end of life it is flat with the edges lowered down. The inner side is covered with spines. The leg of a yellow blackberry is in the form of a cylinder, from 2 to 8 cm high, smooth, yellow. The pulp is very crumbly. Painted in yellow. Taste - with a fruity note.

In older specimens, the flesh is hard, bitter. It grows on the Eurasian continent and in the countries of North America. Shown from mid-June to late October. Fruits before the first frost. Collected for the purpose of eating in fried, boiled and salted forms. Especially appreciated by the French. Requires pre-soaking to eliminate the bitter taste. It is also advisable to get rid of the spines before cooking. coral. The fruiting body of this species is similar in appearance to a coral branch. It has many white branches. The flesh of young representatives of the species is white. As soon as the mushroom becomes mature, it turns yellow. Grows on dead trees. The mushroom is considered edible, but its collection is prohibited due to its conservation status - it is listed in the Red Book of Russia as a rare species.

Antennae. This fungus forms fused cap fruiting bodies of white or pink color, in old age it is yellow, with blunt or sharp edges, sometimes with a fringe. On the upper part there are thick, long (up to 1 cm) white spines, which become brown as they grow older. The pulp is white or pink, soft. It can only be eaten in young specimens. In old mushrooms, it is tough, tasteless. The hornbill is widely represented in the Northern Hemisphere. Appears in July, ends fruiting in early autumn.

Conditionally edible

Most representatives of the hedgehogs are classified as conditionally inedible or inedible mushrooms.

Reddish yellow. This variety has a smooth, orange-red, irregularly shaped hat with rolled-up edges. On the lower part there are many spines in the form of papillae passing to the leg. The leg is thick and dense, yellowish in color. The pulp is fleshy. Has a cream color. Turns orange when squeezed. The mushroom bears fruit in autumn. Found in mixed and coniferous forests.
Motley. The blackberry is variegated or tiled, scaly has a brown or gray hat with dark scales arranged in a circle. At a young age, its shape is convex with raised edges, in mature it turns into a concave or funnel-shaped with curved edges. The leg of this variety reaches 6-8 cm in height. It is thick, smooth, slightly fibrous, in the form of a cylinder, thickening towards the bottom. The color is in harmony with the hat - brown or gray. The pulp is white or gray, juicy, with a pleasant mushroom smell.
The old representatives smell of rot. The period of appearance of representatives of this species is the end of summer-mid-autumn. It grows in Eurasia, in areas with moderate climatic conditions. Hedgehog motley is considered a mushroom of low quality. It is not recommended to use without heat treatment, especially gray blackberry - poisoning is possible. At a young age, the mushroom can be used for salting or as a seasoning after boiling for 8-10 minutes.

Did you know? Norwegians use old specimens of blackberry to make a bluish-green dye to dye sheep's wool.

Another name for this variety is ice mushroom. His hat resembles a fan or tongue with curved edges. It grows in diameter by 7.5 cm. Spines are located on its lower part. The upper part is painted in white, gray tones. In adulthood it becomes dark. The leg has a height of up to 5 cm. However, it may not be. The pulp is gelatinous, translucent. It has a resinous smell and taste. It is found on three continents - Eurasian, North American, Australian.

inedible

Many sources claim that all types of hedgehogs are harmless to humans and do not contain poison. They are classified as inedible only because of the lack of taste or too bitter taste, as well as an unpleasant aroma. There are many more inedible species of hedgehogs than those that can be eaten.

Striped. This hedgehog is not a frequent guest in the mixed forests of the Far East and Siberia, it belongs to rare species. In appearance, it is very similar to a two-year-old dryer. It has a red-brown with light stripes large hat measuring 10 cm in diameter. The leg is red, thin. Fruits in early autumn. Unsuitable for food.

Finnish. This variety catches the eye of mushroom pickers very rarely. His hat grows up to 15 cm in circumference. In young representatives, it is convex, irregular in shape, in old representatives it is prostrate. Painted in brown tones. On its lower part there are dense spines 0.3-0.5 cm long. The leg is short - up to 5 cm in length. It gets narrower towards the bottom. There are different colors. The dense flesh smells good, but the taste is very unpleasant, with a bitter taste. This hedgehog lives in coniferous and mixed forests at the beginning of the autumn period.

Black. This representative of inedible hedgehogs can be found in pine and mixed forests from mid-summer to late October, but quite rarely. He has a large hat, reaching a diameter of 3-8 cm. Immediately after the appearance it has a bright blue color, turns gray as it grows, and turns black at the end of life. The hat merges with a thick and short black leg. The flesh is firm, also black. Spiny hymenophore blue and then gray.

Rough. This species is also called dirty, untidy. It got its name due to the structure of the hymenophore with spikes and the presence of protruding scales on the hat, because of which it seems that it is cracked and untidy. Gray-pink spikes from the lower part of the hymenophore go onto the stem. The hat has an irregular shape with a wavy edging. Its top is flat-convex with a notch in the center, painted in light brown tones, the scales are dark brown.

The leg is in the form of a cylinder, narrowed towards the bottom. Its base is blue or gray-green. Its entire surface is dotted with pink scales. The flesh of the fungus is bitter with a sharp specific aroma. It is white with a pink tint. Rough blackberry grows in symbiosis with conifers and deciduous trees from mid-summer to mid-autumn. The mushroom can be recognized by a flat-convex or convex hat. In shape, it can be in the form of a semicircle or a fan. Color - white, brown, orange. On its lower part there are spines 0.8 cm long. They are white or orange. Climacodon has no legs. The pulp is white, fibrous. It has practically no taste and smell. Most often, this variety comes across in the tropics and subtropics on dry trees or on fallen trees.

An easily recognizable mushroom, because it grows in a bizarre way - several light plates in the form of leaves or tongues grow together at the base and are located one above the other. Each hat grows in diameter from 10 to 30 cm. Their edges are wavy. Mushrooms can grow together and reach a mass of 30 kg. The pulp is dense, hard, pubescent, with a sharp aroma. The hymenophore is spiny. Spines up to 2 cm long. Grows on weak deciduous crops. It bears fruit from the middle of the summer period.

Conjoined (phellodon). This fungus forms a hat with a diameter of 4 cm, black, irregularly shaped. On its lower part, spines of white color are formed. The hat is placed on a short thin black leg with a felt coating. It grows from the end of summer until the first frost in sandy soils in conifers and mixed forests.

Where to look for hedgehogs: ecology and distribution

The range of distribution of hedgehogs is Eurasia, North America, Australia, mainly in areas with temperate climatic conditions, but also in cool regions, such as the Far East, Siberia, the Urals. Usually they choose sandy soils in coniferous and mixed forests, grass covers and moss for fruiting. Almost all hedgehogs form mycorrhiza with conifers, so most often they can be found next to pines, spruces, and are also found near birches.

Some species settle on old, dead trees, stumps. They can grow both singly and in groups. When grouped, their hats practically merge into one, sometimes they form “witch circles”. The fruiting period begins in early summer and lasts until mid-autumn. Mass fruiting falls on August-early September.

Is it possible and how to grow mushrooms in the country?

Hedgehogs can be grown in country conditions. Wooden sticks with spores can be purchased at gardening stores. Mushrooms can be planted outdoors from April to October, indoors - at any time of the year. They are germinated in wood, for example, on freshly felled logs, cleared of shoots. They should be 15-20 cm in diameter and 1 m long.
Before placing the mushroom sticks, the wood should be soaked in water and holes 4 cm long and 0.8 cm in diameter should be drilled in them every 10 cm. After the mushroom sticks are immersed, the logs are covered with foil and placed in a warm and dark room. They will need to be watered twice or thrice in seven days.

Important! It is necessary to work with mushroom sticks with well-disinfected hands or protected sterile gloves.

The logs are taken out into the light after the mycelium appears. Harvest should be expected after six months. For the winter, logs will need to make shelters. Fruiting bodies should be cut at a young age.

Hedgehog storage rules

Hedgehogs can be stored in the refrigerator. However, not too long - up to three days, due to the appearance of stiffness and bitterness. Without a refrigerator, they are only good for two to three hours, then they turn dark. Before storage, they should be washed, soaked in salted water, and dried. Store in a tightly closed bag. Hedgehogs are suitable for drying, however, when stored this way, they become tough. Dried mushrooms are used as a basis for soups, broths, dressings, sauces, gravy.

Their shelf life is two to three years. Before drying, the mushrooms are not washed, but only cleaned and wiped with dry material. Then cut into thin slices of 0.5 cm. They are laid out on a baking sheet covered with parchment so that they do not touch each other. Then placed in an oven preheated to 45 degrees. After the plates are slightly dried and can easily come off the parchment, the temperature is raised to 70 degrees. Drying is carried out with the oven door slightly open. It is carried out in several stages over two days. Ready mushrooms should bend, but not break. Mushrooms can also be pickled.

To do this, they should be sorted out, cleaned and soaked in saline for three to four hours. Then they should be cut into pieces of 4-6 cm. For one kilo of mushrooms, 40-50 g of salt, dill, onion, garlic, horseradish will be required. The pieces will need to be boiled until ready in salted water, rinsed and placed in a colander. Sprinkle with spices and salt, put in a bowl, which is pressed down with a load. The product should be sent to a cold place for six to eight days. After that, mushrooms can be used for marinating, cooking soups and second courses. The best storage method is freezing fresh young mushrooms. At a temperature of -12 degrees, their shelf life is three months, at -18 - six months, at -25 - a year.

How to cook hedgehogs

In cooking, hedgehogs are used infrequently. Unless the French cook various dishes from them and refer them to the best mushrooms. The calorie content of the product is low - 100 grams contains 30 kcal. In terms of nutritional value, there are 3.7 grams of protein, 1.7 grams of fat and 1.1 grams of carbohydrates.

Important! Since hedgehogs accumulate harmful substances from the environment in their fruiting bodies, only mushrooms collected in ecologically clean areas should be consumed.

There are several tips on how to cook hedgehogs. So, before cooking, be sure to remove the spines. There are some specimens that require mandatory cooking to remove bitterness. The same varieties as comb, antennal, coral, do not require boiling. They can be fried or fried right away.

frying

In order to fry the mushrooms, they must be washed and the remnants of the mycelium removed. Those varieties that require pre-treatment should be boiled or soaked. Mushrooms cut. Then pour vegetable oil into a heated frying pan and place the hedgehogs on it. Frying must be done on low heat. When the mushrooms become a little soft, you need to add onion, cut into thin rings or half rings, and salt.

If all the juice has evaporated during frying, cover the pan with a lid. Mushrooms are considered cooked when they have darkened, emit a pleasant aroma and become soft. To add spice and make them even softer, a couple of minutes before readiness, you need to add sour cream. It should be placed only on the surface of the mushrooms, it should not touch the bottom. By the way, unlike other mushrooms, there are varieties of hedgehogs that do not decrease in size when fried.

Cooking

Before boiling mushrooms, soil residues and spines are removed from the fruiting bodies. They are washed under running water. Place in cold water, bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes. For soup, it is advisable to use assorted mushrooms, only with blackberry the dish will not be so fragrant. Hedgehog is a mushroom that is not highly valued by mushroom pickers.

They often do not take it because they consider it inedible, or they don’t want to fool with spines, which pollute the basket and other mushrooms on the way home. However, some of its species are used for frying, boiling and pickling. The most delicious are considered yellow, white and comb blackberry. Mushrooms are used in cooking only at a young age, since older specimens are usually bitter and have hard flesh. Some varieties lend themselves to cultivation in country conditions.

Kira Stoletova

There are many varieties of mushrooms. The group that unites various blackberry mushrooms includes about 15 species that differ in appearance, habitat and belong to different genera and families. Some of them actively bear fruit in temperate climates.

Mushroom characteristic

A feature of the hedgehogs is the appearance of the hymenophore. This is the part of the fruiting body, on which the plates with spores are usually located. In representatives of this group, it looks loose, in the form of pointed cones or spikes. It is this feature that made it possible to distinguish all species in a separate group.

Hedgehog mushrooms are classified as conditionally edible. This marker means that they are not poisonous, but they have a rather low taste, so their use in cooking is limited.

Irina Selyutina (Biologist):
At the end of the 1960s, the leading feature in the systematics of hymenomycetes, which include urchins, was considered the shape of fruiting bodies and hymenophore, the family of urchins included all fungi with a prickly or warty hymenophore. However, by the mid-1970s, it became clear that this character perfectly demonstrates the convergence (similarity of characters of representatives of different species), which is observed in many aphyllophoric fungi of very different origins.
As a result of in-depth microscopic studies of the fam. Ezhovikovye was assigned the only species - notched hydnum. This species, representing a whole family, is characterized by smooth, colorless spores that do not stain under the influence of iodine (non-amyloid).
Close to seven. Ezhovikovye and a small family. Hericidia, whose fungi are distinguished by the presence of amyloid spores and peculiar hyphae with oily contents (gleocystid hyphae).

Habitat - mixed or coniferous forests. More often, species of hedgehogs are harvested under pine trees. Mushrooms prefer sandy soil, bear fruit in groups, forming the so-called. "witch circles" from June to November.

Varieties

The most common types of hedgehogs are:

e. comb;
e. coral;
e. motley;
e. white;
e. yellow.

Many species of this group cannot be found in the nearest coniferous forest for the following reasons:

They are on the verge of extinction and are listed in the Red Book. Such fruiting bodies cannot be collected, so as not to reduce their population.
They have a limited range: some grow only in the Far East, the Caucasus, China and the Crimea.

The description of different species is different, because the color and shape of the fruit is affected by sunlight, soil characteristics and weather conditions.

Hericium erinaceus

The appearance of the blackberry comb mushroom is unusual. It does not have a clearly defined leg, and the fruiting body looks spherical. It is difficult to see the hat as such, the surface is organized in the form of small cones-thorns from 2 to 5 cm long. The color of the fruiting body, and hence the pulp, is white, and when dried it becomes yellowish-brown. The pulp itself is fleshy. The hymenophore justifies the reckoning of this species, as well as others similar to blackberries - it is prickly and resembles thin needles hanging down

This is a wood-destroying fungus - it grows on places where branches or bark of deciduous trees are broken. This species is listed in the Red Book of the Primorsky Territory and the Jewish Autonomous Region.

hedgehog coral

In science, a coral fungus (or ethmoid urchin) is a fungus whose fruiting body looks like a bush, or more precisely, as a representative of marine invertebrates - a coral with a calcareous skeleton that makes this organism look like an outlandish (as it used to be) plant. It consists of coral-like processes. In diameter, the fruiting body reaches 20 cm, and overgrown fruiting bodies are not suitable for eating. The flesh of a young mushroom is white, while older mushrooms are characterized by yellowing.

The coral-shaped hedgehog bears fruit from late July to early September. It is not easy to meet this species, because it is on the verge of extinction and is listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation.

hedgehog motley

The variegated (or tiled) blackberry mushroom got its name due to the color of the cap, which is clearly distinguished in this species. Its diameter reaches 25 cm. It also has characteristic scaly growths of brown color. The surface is dry and velvety to the touch. The leg is dense or hollow, of the same color with a hat or other shades.

Pulp Description:

off-white or gray;
spicy, pleasant smell in young specimens;
putrid odors in overripe, their flesh is hard and dry to the touch.

The hymenophore, located on the underside of the cap, is represented by densely arranged conical pointed and thin spines, about 1 cm long. In young specimens they are light, in older organisms they darken.

This species forms mycorrhiza with representatives of coniferous trees. Prefers dry coniferous (pine) and rarely mixed forests for its growth with sandy soils. Fruiting begins in August and continues until October-November, but mass fruiting includes only the second half of August-end of September.

White hedgehog

The white blackberry has a strong dense leg, reaching a length of up to 6 cm. The fruiting body grows small, more often up to 12 cm in diameter. As it grows, the cap bends inward along the edges. Its color and the color of the plates (in the form of cones) are white or light gray, yellowish. In a young mushroom, the hymenophore in the form of spikes will be elastic and will not crumble.

Did you know? The white hedgehog is quite often confused with its relative - the yellow hedgehog, since it looks like its reduced copy, only with a hat that is white or yellowish in its hue.

hedgehog yellow

This species is common in Russia and is not endangered. It chooses saturated soil for its development; it is easy to find it in moist glades in short grass. Often grows in groups.

The hat is rich red or yellowish, sometimes fading in the sun to whitish. Its edges are uneven. The flesh is fleshy, darkens when cut or pressed. Young specimens have flesh with a pronounced fruity odor. And in the old, it gives a bitter aftertaste and smells unpleasant.

The stem of the fruiting body is in the form of a cylinder, which expands towards the bottom. It grows up to 8 cm long, can bend. Yellow blackberry bears fruit from mid-June to late October.

By the way. Very often, novice mushroom pickers, those who have not carefully studied the appearance of an ordinary chanterelle, are shocked when they see this mushroom, because outwardly it resembles a chanterelle. But upon closer examination, you can immediately see the differences.

What are useful fruiting bodies of hedgehogs

The pulp contains only 22 kcal per 100 g, so it is allowed to eat it on a diet. In addition to proteins, fats (only 5%) and carbohydrates, the pulp contains a large list of trace elements and minerals. Useful properties are realized through a significant amount of fiber, vitamin C, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium.

To try these mushrooms for children, people with diseases of the stomach and intestines, the liver should be given carefully, in small portions. They should be consumed in small quantities, because chitin in the pulp is digested for a long time.

The use of mushrooms

Hedgehog is widely used in cooking and alternative medicine. More of it is prepared in the East, where it is also used as folk remedies for various diseases. In Russia, conditionally edible blackberries are often bypassed, ignoring their medicinal and nutritional properties, because for the Russian Federation this is a rather little-known mushroom in many regions.

cooking

In Russia, conditionally edible fruit bodies of blackberry mushrooms are used as a pickled or salty snack. To get rid of bitterness, they are left in cold water for several days. During the process, the liquid is changed a couple of times a day, then quickly boiled.

The younger the fruiting bodies, the less they need to be processed. This group, especially the variegated blackberry, is not consumed raw, because this can cause severe poisoning. Due to the presence of bitterness, some types are not suitable for frying or drying. But yellow blackberries are fried after boiling and served with sour cream sauce.

The medicine

In traditional science, wild-growing fruiting bodies of hedgehogs do not find application. They are used as part of ointments for the skin in cosmetology. Eastern peoples prepare infusions and decoctions from fruiting bodies, legs. It is believed that the funds have a beneficial effect on:

nervous system;
vessels;
heart;
condition of the skin, nails, hair;
work of the endocrine glands.

Before trying on yourself the healing properties of traditional medicine, be sure to consult a doctor to identify possible problems, for example, individual intolerance to the components of the fungus.

Growing methods

Representatives of this group are easy to grow in their own area, if you make an effort, desire and patience. First of all choose the right place. You should not plant them within a radius of 4 km from enterprises, highways and in summer cottages.

The mycelium of fruiting bodies extends for miles underground and absorbs everything that falls into the ground. Even edible mushrooms in such places are dangerous to human health.

To grow such mushrooms in the country, it is recommended to dilute the mycelium. These are wooden log cabins or containers with soil, where dry or live material is planted. Blackberries like to grow in mixed forests - it is better to take the soil from there. Instead of earth, sawdust of tree species can be used.

More difficult way using a log. Method description:

Holes are made on the log with a drill 4 cm deep and 1 cm in diameter, placing them in a checkerboard pattern.
Sticks with mushroom mycelium are inserted into the holes, covered with perforated cling film.
The wood is removed in a warm and dark place, watered 2-3 times in 7 days.

When the mycelium appears, the log with the mycelium is placed in water for 24 hours. Then the log is placed vertically (many types of blackberry grow precisely on wood cuts) and left to grow.

You can recognize this mushroom by its hat. It has a convex or irregular shape, matte cream, 3-12 cm in diameter. If the weather is damp, then the hat may acquire an orange or yellow-brown hue, in dry weather the color becomes whitish. On the underside of the cap there are outgrowths-needles, which easily crumble when touched.

Description of mushroom:

the cap is pubescent, the edges are bent down;
the leg is cylindrical, up to 2.5 cm wide and 7 cm long, it is lighter than the cap;
the pulp is dense, light cream, in old mushrooms it acquires a reddish tint;
pleasant fruity smell;
sour taste.

Mushrooms grow near coniferous and deciduous trees, mainly in illuminated areas.

Recipe for yellow blackberry

It is advisable to eat only young hedgehogs, the taste of old ones becomes bitter. Bitterness can be removed if, before cooking, boil them in salted water for 25-30 minutes.

These mushrooms do not shrink in size because their flesh is firm. Ideally, hedgehogs are suitable for cooking first courses, as well as for pickling. They can be fried, stewed, salted and dried.

Before cooking, hedgehogs need to be cleaned of leaves, branches and other forest debris, remove the spikes from the back of the cap. If you have collected a small amount of the crop, then there is no point in harvesting it for the winter, it is better to fry the mushrooms. The legs need to be cut off.

Cooking:

Boil hedgehogs for 10 minutes. in salted water. Drain in a colander and cut into pieces. It is not necessary to crush the hats strongly.
Saute mushrooms until all liquid has evaporated.
Onion cut into small cubes. Add to the blackberries, salt and pepper. Fry until tender 7-10 minutes.

If desired, the dish can be seasoned with sour cream and chopped herbs. Hedgehogs can be fried and stewed with other mushrooms. They make the taste more intense. Hedgehogs go well with vegetables. They can be stewed with potatoes, peppers, zucchini and even pumpkin.

After harvesting, do not delay cooking. They keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Without loss of useful properties in the freezer, mushrooms can lie up to 1.5 years.

Yellow hedgehogs are suitable for preparing main dishes and side dishes for fish or meat. They make delicious sauces and salads.

But only a few people dare to collect them. It's scary to mistakenly put a toadstool in the basket! Mushroom pickers who know these mushrooms sometimes do not take hedgehogs because brittle outgrowths-needles on the back of the cap quickly crumble and stain the rest of the mushrooms. Edible hedgehogs are best harvested while they are young.

Blackberry yellow, photo from Wikipedia

Description of blackberry yellow, or notched (Hydnum repandum)

Hat. The “calling card” of the hedgehog is its matte cream hat. More precisely, the underside of the hat, strewn with pointed outgrowths-needles glasses that break off easily. They are the same color as the hat, sometimes a little lighter. The size of the cap (usually from 3 to 12 cm in diameter) is up to 20 cm. It is tough, but brittle.

The caps of young mushrooms are convex in shape, with age they open up, after which they become depressed and acquire some depression in the central part. Often you can see mushrooms with an irregularly shaped hat. The edges of old hedgehogs are bent inward. In young mushrooms, the cap has a dense pulp with a pleasant aroma. In old mushrooms, the flesh becomes reddish. On the skin of the cap of the hedgehogs, a layer of plaque or slight pubescence is noticeable. In some places there are yellow urchins not with whitish-creamy flesh, but with dirty rusty.

Leg. The leg of the yellow blackberry is quite thick (up to 2.5 cm), sometimes it is elongated (up to 6 cm). Sometimes its base (near the ground) is expanded. The one-color blackberry leg is usually lighter than the cap,

Blackberry yellow grow on any soil in deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests. Sometimes mushrooms form "witch circles". The first hedgehogs are harvested at the beginning of summer, usually from. Mushrooms grow until autumn frosts, often up to.

Description of blackberry motley (Hydnum imbricatum, Sarcodon imbricatum)

Blackberry is another edible species that appears more often in pine forests. This mushroom is classified as autumn, as it grows closer to autumn (in -). In some areas, the blackberry is called "elk" or "chicken".

Blackberry motley, photo from Wikipedia

Hat. The variegated hedgehog has a rather large (up to 20 cm or more) brownish hat of an impressive appearance. From above, it is densely covered with large regrowing scales, which are “stacked” according to the principle of tiles. Tiny mushrooms have a dark hat, which then becomes brownish, and then brownish-black. The lower part of the cap is covered with whitish spines, which become brown or rusty-gray with age.

Leg. The color of the leg of the motley blackberry is the same color as the hat. You can find mushrooms with a purple stalk.

Hedgehog motley is good only at a young age. At this time, the grayish pulp of the mushroom has a pleasant tart smell. As it ages, it becomes more and more like a cork. Bitterness appears, which spoils the taste of variegated blackberry.

In our forests, one more species is occasionally found - rough hedgehog. It is not necessary to collect it because of the pungent taste. This mushroom is easily distinguished by its red-brown stem.

Cooking hedgehogs

Hedgehog is not the most popular mushroom, so it is rightly classified as a little-known mushroom. Many authors of guides and determinants recommend yellow blackberry as a very tasty mushroom, and motley blackberry (which is sometimes sentenced as “conditionally edible mushroom”) is recommended to be collected only at a young age. It is curious: the yellow blackberry with its dense pulp practically does not decrease in size during frying.

The pulp of yellow blackberry and blackberry variegated is dense, with a slight sourness. She deserves attention only at a young age. Before putting the mushroom in a pot or pan, it is advisable to remove all the spines. Otherwise, they will surely fall off and turn the mushroom soup or roast into some kind of porridge.

Hedgehogs can be dried. When fresh, they are often cooked not separately, but together with other mushrooms.

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Kira Stoletova

Outwardly, the hedgehog mushroom looks like chanterelles, but it is also easy to confuse it with a toadstool. They do not like to collect hedgehog mushroom: it has peculiar brittle spikes on the inside of the cap, they break off easily, as a result, all the mushrooms in the basket lose their attractive appearance. This is the reason why hedgehogs must be picked young.

appearance of the mushroom

The hat of the hedgehog has a cream color. Its reverse side is strewn with "needles". The cap diameter is from 3 to 20 cm. It is hard but fragile.

The caps of young specimens have a convex shape, level out over time, a depression forms in the center. Often the hat of the hedgehog is completely shapeless. The edges of the hats are turned up. Juveniles have firm flesh with a firm structure and excellent flavor. The pulp of the old ones turns red. The peel is covered with a bloom (edge).

The stem of the mushroom, according to the description, is thick (up to 2.5 cm), it can reach a height of 6 cm. Occasionally, the base of the hedgehogs is wider. The color of the stem is the same color as the cap, but a lighter shade. The hedgehog has a spiny hymenophore, represented by special formations - frequent spikes.

Hedgehogs prefer to grow on different soils. The first specimens of this group grow in June, the last - in early autumn.

Kinds

Hedgehog has several types:

hedgehog yellow, or sinuate: edible look. Hat up to 12 cm in diameter. The pulp is yellow, dense, the surface with tubercles. In a young individual, the cap is slightly convex, the edges are bent inward. It has a velvety texture, becomes denser with age, a dent forms in the center, and waves appear at the edges. Color varies: sometimes yellow, but also turns to orange; when pressed, it becomes darker, when it is dry, it brightens. The mushroom has a light fruity aroma. Leg up to 5 cm high, up to 4 cm thick, in the form of a cylinder, wide at the base. Grows in June and bears fruit until September. Mycorrhiza former. It forms a mushroom root with both representatives of coniferous and deciduous tree species. Most often, representatives of this species can be found in mixed forests where birch is present.
redhead hedgehog, or reddish yellow: it is an edible mushroom, the owner of a hat of a red hue, the edge of which is bent inward. Fragile needles are placed on the inside of the cap. The leg is thick. The flesh is the same, beige, when pressed, it becomes orange in color. Appears in September. Forms mycorrhiza with representatives of coniferous and deciduous tree species.
Hedgehog motley: a cap with a diameter of 5-10 cm. It has a convex shape, with time a depression forms in the central part; along the edge there is a "wave". Large scales completely cover the surface of the cap. The shade of the scales is brown. The young specimen has a velvety texture, the old one is smooth. The pulp is white. The aroma is sharp, bitter. The leg is dry, dense, in the form of a cylinder, wide below; height - 2-5 cm, thickness - 1-1.5 cm. Legs of a gray tint. The motley blackberry grows in coniferous and mixed forests, singly and in groups. Appears from late summer to mid-autumn. Conditionally edible. Due to the presence of bitterness in the taste, old individuals are not eaten. Capable of mycorrhiza formation. As symbionts chooses coniferous trees.
Coral hedgehog: according to the name, the shape of the mushroom is very similar to coral, the color of white coral. The flesh of a young individual is white, with time it becomes yellow, almost without aroma. Grows in deciduous forests on dead wood. Young individuals are edible. The coral-like hedgehog is listed in the Red Book.
Hericium curly, or hedgehog antennae: the color of the fruiting body of the fungus is white-pink, turning yellow with age. The cap of this species is covered with spines on the underside. The edge of the hat resembles a fringe. The pulp is dense, the same shade as the cap. Only juveniles are edible. The fungus grows in late summer and early autumn in deciduous and mixed forests, where it is a tree saprotroph.
hedgehog gelatinous, or gelatinous gelatinous: the fruiting body of the mushroom is jelly-like (which emphasizes the name) in the form of a spoon, fan or tongue. The hat is up to 7.5 cm in diameter, dense, the edge is bent. The texture of the surface is smooth or velvety, white-gray in color, darkens with time. Spikes on the inside. The leg is up to 5 cm high. The pulp is soft, there is almost no aroma and taste. The mushroom is conditionally edible, it is rarely eaten. It is an arboreal saprotroph.
Hedgehog rough: brown mushroom cap. Diameter - about 4-14 cm. The shape is depressed in the center. The surface is uneven, covered with scales of a darker shade. Also on the inside there are spikes up to 1 cm high. The leg is 3-8 cm high, and 1-3.5 cm thick. The color of the leg is the same as that of the hat. The pulp is light. The smell of flour. The species grows in pine forests from late summer to early autumn. Participates in the formation of mycorrhiza with coniferous and deciduous tree species.

Irina Selyutina (Biologist):
Not so long ago, when the shape of fruiting bodies and hymenophore was considered the leading features that determine the systematics of hymenomycetes, all types of fungi with a prickly or warty hymenophore were included in a single family - Ezhovikaceae. Then it became clear that this feature - the structure of the hymenophore - is a perfect example of the phenomenon of convergence, which is observed in many aphyllophoric fungi of different origins. In-depth microscopic studies have shown that all fungi can be divided into different families. And today they include:
family Ezhovik - 2 species;
family Bankers - 4 types;
family Hericium - 3 species;
family Hyaloric - 1 species.

For your information. Types of hedgehog mushrooms are classified as edible or conditionally edible mushrooms.

Beneficial features

Hedgehog is an unusual mushroom that helps to cope with many problems:

has antibacterial properties, provides protection against Escherichia coli, staphylococci, its juice can treat a wound when cut;
allows you to quickly build muscle mass when consumed during enhanced training;
tones, adds strength and energy;
relieves depression;
improves sleep;
removes toxins;
improves lung function, increases their volume;
nourishes the body with useful substances - thanks to it, hair and nails become stronger and begin to grow faster;
improves blood quality, accelerates its circulation.

Irina Selyutina (Biologist):
Did you know? Chinese researchers believe that, according to its medicinal data, the coral-like urchin is practically in no way inferior to another medicinal species of the urchin, the urticaria comb.
Contraindications
Blackberries should not be eaten by people suffering from pancreatitis, gastritis, liver problems, and intolerance to mushrooms in general.
If a person has a fever, the use of hedgehogs in food should also be abandoned.
You should not eat mushrooms earlier than 3 months after surgery. They are contraindicated for children under 5 years of age, pregnant and lactating women.
Application
Hedgehog has a lot of useful properties - it is not surprising that it is widely used in cooking and medicine.
In cooking
More often, young specimens are used for cooking: their pulp is tender, with sourness. Adults use only after cooking, which makes them softer and removes the bitter taste. Before you start cooking, the hat is cleaned of thorns. After heat treatment, this type of fungus almost does not change in size.
To prepare fried urchins, each mushroom is washed and cleaned. Grease the pan with oil and heat up. Then the mushrooms are cut into pieces and fried over low heat. When they are almost cooked, add finely chopped onion. 5 minutes before readiness, sour cream is introduced, then stewed.
To cook in batter, the mushrooms are cleaned and washed, then boiled in salted water. 10-15 minutes is enough for young individuals, half an hour for old individuals. For batter, for every 10 pieces you will need 1 chicken egg. Eggs are beaten and mixed with flour. Add spices. Fry until crispy. The dish is served hot, with sauce to taste.
In medicine
Herbs contain components that positively affect the human body. An ointment is prepared from them, which is used to prevent diseases of the skin. Cosmetic mask from the pulp of the "hedgehog" nourishes with moisture and tones the skin.
The mushroom is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is used to produce tinctures and compresses that help with diseases of the nervous system.

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Conclusion
Types of hedgehogs are not popular among mushroom pickers, so they are almost never grown in summer cottages or greenhouses. When picking mushrooms, do not be afraid to take a “hedgehog” into the basket: after all, it will not only be a safe decoration for dishes, but will also be able to complement the first-aid kit.