Beware False Hopes

Because most of the fall and an entire winter passed without a single incidence of harvest, I am making resolutions. To spend more time outdoors this year, eyes open, on hands and knees if necessary.

In Montana we have sometimes found morels by this date, and wild asparagus.

So far this spring I’ve discovered only false morels and a seemingly inedible variety of fiddlehead.

Unlike true morels, the cap of a false morel is not hollow. For a good description of this potentially poisonous imposter, check out the Great Morel.

Morels occupy a hallowed place in our family lore. If you’re interested in the story, you can find it on this page at Prairie Home Companion.