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Kalispell Mushrooms 2023

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with eXp Commercial, Referral Divison RRE-BRO-LIC-75443

A totally unexpected find in my area of Kalispell Montana has to do with mushrooms. Please note that I am not a professional forager, so feel free to take my input with a grain of salt. That being said, here are my experiences so far with wild mushrooms in northwest Montana.

Kalispell Mushrooms 2023 morel mushroom photo First, in our first Spring at our property, we found these interesting looking mushrooms growing at the edge of our driveway. I remember my husband spotting them, and asking, "What is that?" So when I came home, I checked the photo online and they looked a lot like morel mushrooms. I then posted a picture on a local Facebook page and I was bombarded with excited people telling me those were definitely morel mushrooms, and they were quite desirable and delicious.

So after doing a little additional research, I decided to try them. I sliced them up, and cooked them in butter and carefully tasted them. Yup, they were indeed delicious and they were definitely morel mushrooms. The following Spring we found none, but the next two years provided a few. We definitely keep our eyes out for them now!

And here's another story about morel mushrooms in my area. An 87 year old man went mushroom picking with a friend in a nearby forest. He got separated from his friend and after he did not return to his car, he was listed as missing and Search & Rescue teams went looking for him. Four days later he was found wandering around a forest service road in Canada. And guess what? He still had his bucket of morel mushrooms. He obviously wasn't going to let go of that!

So my first mushroom find was exciting and one of the first things I do every Spring is keep an eye out for them.

Kalispell Mushrooms 2023 shaggy mane mushroom photoAnd then this year, in Autumn, conditions must have been ripe for it, because all of a sudden we were seeing all sorts of mushrooms sprouting up that we don't remember seeing before.  These were growing IN the driveway. So again, I took a photo, did some online research and reached out to some local folks. This time, I found this was a mushroom called Shaggy Mane which is also quite edible and delicious.

These have been popping up all over and we've already had two delicious side-dishes. Of course, if you find these, it's important to note they need to be picked when still relatively small and fresh. Why? Because as they get bigger, they start to turn to ink. Yeah, you don't want to eat them like that. Apparently they get very bitter.

Oh, and deer seem to love these. I waited too long to try them the first time and when I went to get some, they were all eaten. All that was left were little stubs in the ground.The next time I saw them, I hurried back to take them before they were gobbled up. I'm fighting with the deer for the scrumptious mushrooms!

Also, I found these two additional mushrooms but did not eat them. I couldn't find a good description of what they were and while I'm willing to try something that seems to be safe, I'm not crazy.

Kalispell Mushrooms 2023 two unidentified mushrooms

So, not only is northwest Montana full of fantastic lakes, mountains, streams, rivers, activities, restaurants, sports, coffee shops, and everything else, we have mushrooms too!

For more foodie tips (or if you can identify the bottom two photos), reach out to me! I'd love to chat.

Originally published at thehousekat.com.  Feature photo AI-generated; remaining photos taken by Kat Palmiotti.

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Kalispell, Bigfork, Lakeside and Somers areas. 

Are you getting ready to sell or purchase land or a home in Kalispell  or the surrounding vicinity? Let’s talk!

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Show All Comments Sort:
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

OK Kat Palmiotti  not wanting to sound jealous but the only time I had fresh Morrells were when we lived in Europe for free:) we went in the woods and picked them... since then I have been paying top dollar for fresh ones:)Endre

Oct 14, 2023 09:42 PM
Kat Palmiotti

Endre Barath, Jr. - I saw photos of people who have found baskets full! I don't have that many!

Oct 15, 2023 05:23 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Kat. I am a sucker for mushrooms. Any time my wife makes a dish with mushrooms I remind her to use a generous amount. Enjoy your finds and may they be many you get to before the deer. Enjoy your day.

Oct 15, 2023 05:55 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Thank you Wayne Martin ! Two nights ago, I was puttering around the kitchen and my husband opened the door from outside and told me there were a "whole bunch" of shaggy mane mushrooms right off the patio. Well, I changed my mind immediately about what to have as a side dish and skedaddled outside to pick some. Such a cool thing!

Oct 15, 2023 06:15 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

So glad you checked to make sure the mushrooms were edible. I do not like mushrooms personally thought my husband does.

Oct 15, 2023 06:42 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Leanne Smith - I hated mushrooms growing up. I'm not sure when that changed for me, but I love them now. Just not the kind in a can.

Oct 15, 2023 06:48 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Great post!  Thanks for sharing and enjoy your day!

Oct 15, 2023 06:43 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Thank  you!

Oct 15, 2023 06:48 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Kat, Northwest Montana truly seems like a treasure trove of natural beauty and activities. The addition of mushrooms in the mix just adds to the area's already rich appeal. It's great to read about the diverse offerings the region has to offer. 

Oct 15, 2023 06:43 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Thank you Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 - That's why it's called the Treasure State!

Oct 15, 2023 06:48 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

So cool that you found and are enjoying these mushrooms.

My husband has memories of being in the woods with his grandfather gathering mushrooms. Grandfather would point his cane at the mushrooms he wanted the kids to pick.

Oct 15, 2023 07:32 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Love it, Sharon Tara ! I'm getting such a kick out of free veggies!

Oct 15, 2023 11:08 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Kat, for sharing your mushroom adventures.

Chef Dolores likes to prepare many kinds but our pickings are at Costco and local grocery stores and farmers markets.

Oct 15, 2023 08:57 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Ha, Roy Kelley - I like Costco mushrooms also

Oct 15, 2023 11:08 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

My Dad loved to go Morel gathering, but I could never spot them. I recall him saying "Marte, look by your foot!" 

Only one time, when I was showing property, we came across a whole patch growing under a tree. Since the house was vacant, my customers and I stopped and picked them! 

Good for you for spotting nature's gifts! 

Oct 15, 2023 10:53 AM
Kat Palmiotti

I love that you and your customers picked the morels, Marte Cliff - what a nice find!

Oct 15, 2023 11:09 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Kat - yes, it was fun. Do you suppose that was the reason they purchased that property? I don't know - but they did! 

Oct 15, 2023 02:35 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

What a great story Kat!  I'm glad Kathy Streib featured this!  I know about this kind of mushroom because a recipe I wanted to make called for them.  I couldn't find any.  Didn't think about dried ones like Endre Barath, Jr. talked about.  How cool is this to find, at least a few of them in your own yard.  And the story about the old guy getting lost for 4 days.......and he sill had his mushrooms.  I need to try harder to find them next time!  Or just call you at the right time!

Oct 15, 2023 03:11 PM
Kat Palmiotti

Anna "Banana" Kruchten  - Oh my gosh, that old guy who still had his bucket of mushrooms even though he'd been lost for days and was dehydrated and delirious? He still had his mushrooms? Oh my gosh!

Oct 15, 2023 06:08 PM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX

Kat Palmiotti - What a great story about Montana Mushrooms! You're such a great adventurer and researcher!  Plus, you are not afraid to try different things to eat. I don't eat mushrooms but I love to photograph them. I haven't seen the ones you posted, but I think they are lovely! I just checked my phone to see what mushrooms I photographed last and the camera says September 3, 2023. They were in my front lawn.

Oct 16, 2023 05:33 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Interesting! I wonder what those are Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP !

Oct 16, 2023 09:51 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
The best agent in Southern Utah!

Morels are indeed delicious, Kat! Have not gotten brave enough to try any wild mushrooms the are spotted on walks or hikes. Education is definitely key to ensuring they are edible!

Oct 16, 2023 11:28 AM
Kat Palmiotti

True Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! - I don't want to poison myself (or worse!)

Oct 16, 2023 01:12 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I do love my mushrooms, but I’m afraid to go out foraging for them myself. Just call me a chicken 🙂

Oct 16, 2023 11:44 AM
Kat Palmiotti

I found two new kinds yesterday - I have to do more investigating Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS 

Oct 16, 2023 01:11 PM
Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Kat,

Good eye! We get morels in the spring occasionally, but it is hard to find them good enough to eat (really young). Have never seen shaggy mane east of the Rockies. Do not know the other mushrooms either. One seems like a wood decomposer & not really edible, but no clue about the other.

Oct 17, 2023 03:49 PM
Kat Palmiotti

Thank you Dorte Engel - I found a few new ones yesterday that I have to investigate. Mushrooms are ALL OVER!

Oct 17, 2023 06:37 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Thanks for sharing the mushroom experience Kat Palmiotti !

Oct 18, 2023 07:05 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573 - I'm sure you have a ton of edible mushrooms in Maine!

Oct 18, 2023 08:57 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Very interesting!  Have never seen those types before, but never been to Montana either!  The mushrooms I've seen in Kansas were mostly button, nothing as exciting as your finds!   Thanks for sharing!

Oct 18, 2023 11:39 AM
Kat Palmiotti

And thanks for reading this Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ !

Oct 18, 2023 02:20 PM
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Hi Kat Palmiotti . We have morel mushrooms in our area as well.  I spot many mushrooms during our hikes, but I am not anywhere as experienced as you in trusting them.  Therefore, I look but do not eat.

Oct 18, 2023 04:54 PM
Kat Palmiotti

I've been taking photos Lynnea Miller and then doing some research. I get such a kick out of being able to go out my door, pick a few mushrooms, and make my veggie for the night. So rewarding!

Oct 18, 2023 06:42 PM
Jim Paulson
Progressive Realty (Boise Idaho) www.Progressive-Realty.info - Boise, ID
Owner,Broker

There are old mushroomers and there are old mushroomers. However, there are no old, bold mushroomers.  I do love me some morels though!

Oct 20, 2023 11:07 AM
Kat Palmiotti

haha, Jim Paulson - yes, the morels are yummy

Oct 20, 2023 11:24 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, how cool is that, Kat?! I would forage for them and as you said, investigate first - then cook them in EVOO or butter & garlic! YUMMY! I love how your Montana neighbors all answer your questions so exuberantly!

Oct 29, 2023 08:26 PM
Kat Palmiotti

I love it too Debe Maxwell, CRS !

Oct 30, 2023 04:33 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

You have a very magical driveway Kat. Happy mushroom hunting for gosh sake ; watch where your driving 🙂

Nov 04, 2023 07:51 AM
Kat Palmiotti

I know! Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS - I make a point of not running over those shrooms!

Nov 04, 2023 07:54 AM