It’s later than usual this year. But maitake season finally arrived and we were able to pick a small amount of this amazing mushroom.

Grifola or Hen of the Woods or Maitake Season

We went to our regular tree about two weeks ago. There had been plenty of rain and the nights had gotten cool, both conditions that had us expecting a large amount of maitake. But there wasn’t anything except a very small emergence of new fungi.

This past Sunday it rained a lot, so we went back. The original growth had hardly gotten any bigger and it had dried out. But there was also this.

Can you see it? There are actually two small clumps of mushroom in this photo. The cream-colored little mass just below center in the image. And in the upper right side of the image. There was also a slightly larger clump behind the tree. Here’s what we ended up getting.

It was enough to make a meal with pierogi and kielbasa (it doesn’t get more Polish than that in our house). Thaddeus planned to make soup with the remainder, but we heard from a friend who had maitake on his property last year that it was back again. Another small clump of mushrooms, so Thaddeus ended up making a bigger pot of mushroom soup.

I’m glad it wasn’t a total washout this year.

Current Knitting

Progress has been slow on the helical striped sock.

But I have to say, I really like this color combination so far.

Can’t wait to see how the heel and toe look.