Hidden deep in Lynn Woods are edible delights, some only to be seen by the trained eye.
These fungi can be deceiving, many times tricking people into eating what might not be edible. That’s why it is important to forage with trained professionals while hunting for mushrooms.
Husband-and-wife team Benjamin and Kimberly Crowninshield have been foraging for mushrooms for 10 years and conducting tours for three. They know exactly how to find the best mushrooms for eating, having eaten every mushroom before deeming it safe for the public to enjoy.
Both born and raised in Marblehead, where they currently live, the Crowninshields venture to Lynn Woods for free parking, a lack of bugs, and an abundance of mushrooms. They also occasionally host tours in Beverly Commons conservation area, earlier in the year.
They’ve identified over 100 mushroom species from Essex County and have a passion for unique, local flavors. Their tours can be scheduled via Facebook, and they typically give two to five per month.
While they love sharing their passion for nature and living off the land, Kimberly said there is just something about sharing their passion with the next generation to come that inspires them.
“The more people that are interested, the more people are trying to protect our forests,” she said. “I feel like we will be better off in the future. So I love it when kids come on the tours.”
During their tours, they also teach. They emphasize the importance of knowledge in foraging and the abundance of edible mushrooms in their area. They can answer practically any questions you would have about mushrooms or even how to cook them.
Living off the land is important to them, Benjamin said, “We are so lucky living here because we have such an incredible variety that you can find in the forest.”
Cepaea hortensis on Auriscalpium ulgare climbs to
Cladina rangiferina. In other words, a white lipped garden snail
on a pinecone mushroom climbing to reindeer lichen.
An ant drinks water from a pixie cup lichen.
An apple bolete, or Frost’s bolete.
Honey mushrooms.
Bolete eater mold on a chestnut bolete.
This all started because of Kimberly’s eye for nature and photography.
She became very interested in macro nature photography, or taking close-up pictures of really small things, like slime molds, moss, and insects.
“Once you’re crawling around on the ground taking pictures of small things, you start notitcing mushrooms,” Benjamin said. “And then you start taking pictures of those. And we really wanted to make sure that every time she posted a picture we could ID what was being posted, preferably down to the species level, but at the least the genus.”
He said the pair would often find out that one of their discoveries was supposed to be a delicious, edible mushroom. “And then the next time we come across it, we bring it home and eat it. And it just kind of snowballed from there.”
Their knowledge doesn’t end in the woods. They also keep a running list of recipes that they have made and tried with the mushrooms they have found.
Some of their favorite dishes include fried chicken of the woods, stinkhorn pot pies, and beefsteak mushroom tartare.
They also make jellies, fruit leathers, and cakes from various foraged ingredients.
Benjamin and Kimberly said they plan to write a cookbook in the future with all of the ingredients found right in your backyard.
To book a tour or see some of Kimberly’s award-winning photography, reach out to them on Facebook at Crowninshield Photography.
