The first half of August has been an absolute bolete bonanza! Kings, Summer Ceps, Porcini, Bicolors, Bouillons and Painted Boletes (just to name a few) are covering forest floors. A change to cooler nighttime temperatures have also encouraged numerous fall mushrooms to begin fruiting earlier than normal.
My hands have been permanently stained all week, alternating between bright yellow from the pollen coated elderflowers in full bloom to deep purple from ripe, juicy mulberries. And, my cupboards have reached maximum capacity, with over 200 jars of canned jams, jellies, sauerkrauts and pickled delights.
Now is the perfect time to forage unripe black walnuts around New England! While most Americans think of these nearly tennis ball-sized nuts as a nuisance for the mess they make in the fall when they drop from the trees, many cultures have incorporated green walnuts into their cocktail concoctions over the centuries.