Out on the trail, I came across one of my favorite beginner mushrooms, the pear-shaped puffball. These little guys are easy to spot, simple to identify, and perfect for anyone just getting started with foraging. I’ll show you what to look for, how to make sure they’re edible, and a couple of my favorite ways to cook them. If you’ve been wanting to try your hand at mushroom foraging, this is a great one to start with. #ForagingMushrooms #PuffballMushroom #TheHGSociety | The Hunter Gatherer Societ

A puffball mushroom releases its spores. | Ari Shapiro

Puffball mushroom as it releases a cloud of spores into the air with a gentle burst, the tiny particles dispersing in the breeze.

Vegetarian Puffball Mushroom Parmesan

Remember our giant puffball mushroom video? Yeah, I cooked and ate that. Check out this video on making fried puffball steaks. This recipe is a mixture of several recommendations, mostly from my neighbor: Make thin cuts of mushroom steak (I did 1/2 in) Soak in water for several minutes to prevent shrinking (I skipped this step, but it might be helpful) Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet and fry steaks over medium heat, about 2-3 minutes per side Remember-- please make sure you understand l