| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Aug 17 2010 : 2:40:34 PM
Hi girls!
Okay - so, yesterday I was prepping a HUGE bowl of mushrooms for the freezer. As I stood there peeling them, in utter disdain over the sticky pieces of mushroom skin on my fingers (not to mention the little chunks of mushroom that sometimes came off with them), I realized I have absolutely no idea why I even do this! I suddenly remembered a conversation from years ago between my aunt and her friend while we were preparing mushrooms for my cousin's wedding. One said that it was shamefully wasteful and ridiculous to peel the mushrooms, and that she had never heard of such a thing! The other insisted that her family had done this for generations and to not do so was simply unsanitary. Long story short, we had an interesting looking blend of mushrooms in the bowl when all was said and done.
Now I know plenty of people who don't peel their mushrooms and continue to live long, healthy lives. Personally, I intensely dislike this chore because it's so messy and sometimes even a little slimy. I suppose I just peel them because my mother always did, as did her mother before that, and her mother before that - it's probably a generational thing. But I have no clue as to why we do it, exactly. Is it even necessary?
So, for those of you out there who do peel your mushrooms - why do we do this? And for those of you who don't - why don't you? And, I guess I'd really like to know what, exactly, IS the proper way to prepare a fresh mushroom?
To peel or not to peel? - That is my question!
Thank you! - Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| blackantsnpeonys |
Posted - Sep 05 2010 : 10:31:28 PM
I was taught to wipe mushrooms with a paper towl and never run them under water since the water makes them soggy and mushy. Never ever heard of one peeling mushrooms. Hope you figure out what to do with your mushrooms. They are good arean't they!
Appreciate the little things, for they are not really that little. |
| MissLiss |
Posted - Sep 03 2010 : 10:52:50 AM
I come from an italian family and am a HUGE mushroom eater, but I have never heard of peeling them! I was totally confused as to how you would do that until you explained it! We always just wipe them down with a wet cloth. Although I'm not too fond of the woody stems, so I usually cut off the part that hangs down below the mushroom cap. Other than that, we just chop and cook! How interesting! I'm only 29, but I've only ever eaten mushrooms with the "peels" on and I've survived, so I think you'd be okay too if you gave up that step in your mushroom prep! :)
Melissa ~ Farmgirl #724
Mother Hen to The Knitty Gritty Farmgirls of the Inland Empire
http://fabulousfarmgirl.blogspot.com/ |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Sep 02 2010 : 8:30:36 PM
You're right - not the best description, Catherine! :) I just meant that the smooth top of a peeled mushroom is more pleasing in a salad or raw situation. I'm so used to no peels that when the peels are on, the texture feels a lot different when you're eating them, that's all. Don't worry - I don't do slimy mushrooms!!! Yuck!
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
| urban chickie |
Posted - Sep 02 2010 : 8:25:13 PM
I wonder if it matters what type of mushroom? The Polish mushrooms are very different than the types grown here in the states....maybe some get thicker on the outside or something? I dunno lots about shrooms LOL. As for slimy, that sounds nasty, like a shroom gone bad. They should never be slimy!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
|
| Ninibini |
Posted - Sep 01 2010 : 8:04:40 PM
I'm thinkin' so, too, Mel... I'm thinking so, too! :)
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
| Kirksmom71 |
Posted - Sep 01 2010 : 6:28:24 PM
Peel Mushrooms??????? I must confess that seems like the most bizarre thing I have ever heard. But then again I haven't heard everything! :)My Grandpa foraged for wild mushrooms all the time but never did my Grandma peel one. All families have thier own lil quirks, you do what you know, right? But Nini I think ya may save a lotta time if you just dust off those lil buggers.
My best to all,
Mel
Sassy City Girl with Farmgirl Fantasies! |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Sep 01 2010 : 5:17:44 PM
THANK YOU, MOLLY!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!!
I just got an email back from my sister today, and she said, "Of COURSE I peel my mushrooms... why on earth do you ask?" Ugh... So I asked her to please explain why the heck we do it, when absolutely no one else in the world seems to even know about it. I'm waiting for her to respond (we live very far away from each other).
Do you have any idea why your aunt peeled them?
You're right, though - they don't look slimy when they're peeled... I kind of like that aspect of the peeling! :) At least, when they're on a salad, they do look a little better and they don't feel so slimy in your mouth. But maybe when cooking it's just not necessary... Well, actually, according to the rest of the girls, it's not only NOT necessary, it's unheard of! LOL! Maybe I'll just peel when we're eating raw, and leave unpeeled when they're going to be cooked. :)
Thanks again for making me feel better, Molly... And thanks to everyone else for helping me to see the error of my ways! I feel so liberated! :)
I still would like to know where the heck this whole tradition comes from, and if there is any real wisdom in so doing.
I'll be sure to keep you all posted! :)
Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
| Brew Crew |
Posted - Sep 01 2010 : 4:52:37 PM
This is a funny topic. I never knew to peel mushrooms until I saw my Polish aunt preparing some. She peeled them, and I watched in disgust as I thought of how I ate them 'unpeeled' all this time. So, now I peel them. ;) I don't mind. I don't eat them all that often, and they look so pretty all peeled.
"The ideal equestrian has the courage of a lion, the patience of a saint, and the hands of a woman."
|
| Ninibini |
Posted - Sep 01 2010 : 3:04:58 PM
LOL! Geez, Liz - now that you put it that way, I'm not so sure I want to eat them at all! LOL! You're too funny!
Thanks so much, I needed a good giggle!
- Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
| Leilaht |
Posted - Sep 01 2010 : 2:10:49 PM
I didn't know mushrooms had peels! But then again, I don't like mushrooms so I don't cook with them. Nasty fungus! We always picked morels as a kid, but they definitely don't have a peel. They don't grow in poo either!
Liz
Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Proverbs 31:25 |
| urban chickie |
Posted - Aug 25 2010 : 10:41:41 AM
Wow - I never even heard of peeling mushrooms! Very interesting but I think I will keep eating them whole - they are too expensive to waste lol.
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
|
| monicarose |
Posted - Aug 25 2010 : 06:49:00 AM
well this old farmgirl...washes her mushrooms to get all the dirt and bacteria off(they do grow in poo you know)...and then set them to dry...then they aren't slimy!
you're making me hungry!
|
| Red Headed Farm Girl |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 4:00:34 PM
Wow, I have never heard of peeling mushrooms either !!
One day in the grocery store an elderly lady told me to put them in cold water with salt and the dirt and grime would come right off. I tried it and she was right.
I had been taught to never get the mushroom wet only wipe with a wet cloth which takes a long time to get clean mushrooms. I do this even for salad mushrooms but, I do let them drain before cutting them.
Farmgirl Sister# 1975
"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."
Isaiah 30:15 |
| minnie |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 3:46:05 PM
my goodness girls, peeling mushrooms, whats this world coming to? I never heard of such a thing, I always rinsed most of the dirt off them and put them in what ever I was cooking at the time, or just straight into my mouth. |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 2:59:28 PM
Danielle - I'll probably be peelin' onions! LOL! It is a pain... I'm feeling very liberated by this post. Maybe I'll buy a new box on 'shrooms tomorrow just to walk a little on the wild side! LOL!!
I can't believe nobody has really ever heard of this! LOL! I can't wait to tell my Mom! :)
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
| MerryHeartSister |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 2:45:36 PM
I buy cases of portabellas. I use a knitted dishcloth slightly damp to wipe off the dirt and then chop them up stems and all. Never heard of peeling mushrooms.
Farmgirl #1951
Home is a gift that should be opened every day. |
| 36paws20hooves |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 2:29:05 PM
Well, I have heard of peeling oranges and peeling onions... but this is the first I have EVER heard of peeling mushrooms. LOL! Man that has got to be a pain! I just wash or wipe mine off. Nini, what are you going to do with all that extra time you are going to have?
I'm so busy I don't know if I just found a rope or lost my horse! |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 10:40:22 AM
LOL! That's probably true, Judith! LOL! GREAT story! Thank you! Loved it! :)
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
| forgetmenot |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 09:30:32 AM
I've always just wiped mine with a soft towel. However, this reminds me of the story of the young housewife whose husband asked her why she always cut the ends off a roast and cooked them in a separate pan. She replied that her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother did it that way. They were excellent cooks. So, she followed the same method. One day she asked her great-grandmother about that recipe. Great-grandmother smiled, told the young woman that her roaster was too small for a large roast. :) Maybe greatgrandmother's mushroom wasn't as attractive as she would have liked, so not to waste it, she peeled it.
However you fix them, mushrooms are yummy!
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Aug 18 2010 : 08:18:20 AM
Thank you, Ingrid! Believe me, I want to give this up - it's yucky and you're right it does take time!
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
| Ingrid |
Posted - Aug 18 2010 : 08:13:10 AM
I only peel them if the outside is going brown because they do seem to bruise a bit sometimes. Other than that I just wash them. Think of the time you can save by not peeling.
Give thanks to yourself everyday for all the wonderful things you do! |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Aug 17 2010 : 8:41:13 PM
Susan - 'Guess I'd better get myself a brush! This could be very liberating for me! ;)
And Alee - well, it's at least a relief that somebody else knows that they're peel-able! LOL!
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 17 2010 : 8:14:11 PM
I only peel mine if I am playing with my food as I eat them! :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| SusanScarlet |
Posted - Aug 17 2010 : 6:36:47 PM
I just wash them with my cute little mushroom-shaped wooden mushroom brush. It has really soft bristles and cleans them well. I think if I had to peel them, we'd never have mushrooms - LOL |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Aug 17 2010 : 6:11:47 PM
Hi Kristin! If you look at the underside of the mushroom, right where the top meets the stem, that's where the peel is - it meets the stem. If you slightly put pressure on it (or it may already be separated, and you'll see the peel kind of hanging a little), you can start peeling that loose part back. You do that all around the mushroom top until all of that layer is removed. :) I can't believe I'm the only one who does this! LOL! I'm starting to get a complex! LOL!
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
