We found a *thing* growing at the bottom of our field, it has me completely
mystified as I've never seen anything like it before. Im presuming its some
form of fungi, its white, round, about the size of a soccer ball and looks
like a big piece of marshmallow!..One of my kids actually thought it was his
ball from a distance. Can someone tell me what it is please? I cut the grass
in this field once a week, but as it hasn't rained here is almost five weeks
I haven't cut it for the past three (it's half an acre, so any excuse not to
spend a couple of hours behind a mower!) it was only ploughed, harrowed and
reseeded last year having had horses on it for many years previous. I use
this grass for mulching flower beds etc, is it ok to still use it?

Thanks again

--

Shan (Ireland)
http://ukdiscus.com/main.htm

On Sat, 23 Aug 2003 22:48:08 +0100, "shannie"
wrote:

We found a *thing* growing at the bottom of our field, it has me completely
mystified as I've never seen anything like it before. Im presuming its some
form of fungi, its white, round, about the size of a soccer ball and looks
like a big piece of marshmallow!..One of my kids actually thought it was his
ball from a distance. Can someone tell me what it is please? I cut the grass
in this field once a week, but as it hasn't rained here is almost five weeks
I haven't cut it for the past three (it's half an acre, so any excuse not to
spend a couple of hours behind a mower!) it was only ploughed, harrowed and
reseeded last year having had horses on it for many years previous. I use
this grass for mulching flower beds etc, is it ok to still use it?

You are lucky as it sounds like a giant puffball. If you cut it open
and it is solid "marshmallow" all through it is wonderful to eat. Cut
into 1inch cubes and fry in butter or in bacon fat. I consider it a
great delicacy.
If it has gone too far it will be powdery in the middle and then not
edible.
I shall be off across my local fields tomorrow to see if I can find
one, though I've only found one there once in 15 years!!


Pam in Bristol

In article , shannie
writes
We found a *thing* growing at the bottom of our field, it has me completely
mystified as I've never seen anything like it before. Im presuming its some
form of fungi, its white, round, about the size of a soccer ball and looks
like a big piece of marshmallow!.

There's a very good chance that it's a giant puffball. If you can get
it firmly identified, it is reputed to be one of the most delicious of
all fungi. Lucky you!!

But do check the identification first!!!


--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm

On Sat, 23 Aug 2003 22:59:33 +0100, Kay Easton
wrote:

In article , shannie
writes
We found a *thing* growing at the bottom of our field, it has me completely
mystified as I've never seen anything like it before. Im presuming its some
form of fungi, its white, round, about the size of a soccer ball and looks
like a big piece of marshmallow!.

There's a very good chance that it's a giant puffball. If you can get
it firmly identified, it is reputed to be one of the most delicious of
all fungi. Lucky you!!

But do check the identification first!!!


Ain't much else is can be!
What a find!!
Be sure to keep an eye on the site next year - giant puffballs are
better when they're tight and firm.. your specimen may have gone over.
Slice it and see - if it's firm and bright white then it's an 'eater'.

Beat the yolk of an egg, dip a slice of the fungi in it and saute in
butter, What a treat!
Makes a superb breakfast - has the same texture as an omelette, but
with a lovely nutty flavour.

Lucky you!


Regards ( and envy )



--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showard{whoisat}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk

"shannie" wrote in message
...
We found a *thing* growing at the bottom of our field, it has me
completely
mystified as I've never seen anything like it before. Im presuming its
some
form of fungi, its white, round, about the size of a soccer ball and looks
like a big piece of marshmallow!.

You incredibly lucky people. It is a gianf puff ball. It is utterly
unmistakable. A most delicious fungus. Pick it before it ripens. Cut into
steaks and fry in butter. Serve with a garlick butter sauce.

[snip]

Franz

"Kay Easton" wrote in message
...
In article , shannie
writes
We found a *thing* growing at the bottom of our field, it has me
completely
mystified as I've never seen anything like it before. Im presuming its
some
form of fungi, its white, round, about the size of a soccer ball and
looks
like a big piece of marshmallow!.

There's a very good chance that it's a giant puffball. If you can get
it firmly identified, it is reputed to be one of the most delicious of
all fungi. Lucky you!!

But do check the identification first!!!

I know of nothing with which the giant puff ball can be confused.
Donkeys years ago we used to forage regularly for them in Hayes Common.
They are truly delicious.

Franz

Franz

On Sun, 24 Aug 2003 07:46:46 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:

There's a very good chance that it's a giant puffball. If you can get
it firmly identified, it is reputed to be one of the most delicious of
all fungi. Lucky you!!

But do check the identification first!!!

I know of nothing with which the giant puff ball can be confused.

a football apparently :-)

Donkeys years ago we used to forage regularly for them in Hayes Common.
They are truly delicious.

I found that without flavouring them, they didn't taste of much.
--
Martin

In article , Franz Heymann notfranz.
writes

"Kay Easton" wrote in message
...
In article , shannie
writes
We found a *thing* growing at the bottom of our field, it has me
completely
mystified as I've never seen anything like it before. Im presuming its
some
form of fungi, its white, round, about the size of a soccer ball and
looks
like a big piece of marshmallow!.

There's a very good chance that it's a giant puffball. If you can get
it firmly identified, it is reputed to be one of the most delicious of
all fungi. Lucky you!!

But do check the identification first!!!

I know of nothing with which the giant puff ball can be confused.
Donkeys years ago we used to forage regularly for them in Hayes Common.
They are truly delicious.

Agreed - nothing fungal!
But I'm not going to recommend anyone to eat anything just from their
description!
--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm

Stephen Howard wrote in message . ..
[...]
Beat the yolk of an egg, dip a slice of the fungi in it and saute in
butter, What a treat!
Makes a superb breakfast - has the same texture as an omelette, but
with a lovely nutty flavour.

In that case, you restore the hautbois, and I'll do the omelettes, thanks!

Mike.

"martin" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 24 Aug 2003 07:46:46 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:

There's a very good chance that it's a giant puffball. If you can get
it firmly identified, it is reputed to be one of the most delicious of
all fungi. Lucky you!!

But do check the identification first!!!

I know of nothing with which the giant puff ball can be confused.

a football apparently :-)

Donkeys years ago we used to forage regularly for them in Hayes Common.
They are truly delicious.

I found that without flavouring them, they didn't taste of much.

Our taste-buds must have developed in different directions.
But do remember that like many other delicacies, garlick butter intensifies
the flavour.

Franz

On Sun, 24 Aug 2003 15:27:57 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:


"martin" wrote in message
.. .
On Sun, 24 Aug 2003 07:46:46 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:

There's a very good chance that it's a giant puffball. If you can get
it firmly identified, it is reputed to be one of the most delicious of
all fungi. Lucky you!!

But do check the identification first!!!

I know of nothing with which the giant puff ball can be confused.

a football apparently :-)

Donkeys years ago we used to forage regularly for them in Hayes Common.
They are truly delicious.

I found that without flavouring them, they didn't taste of much.

Our taste-buds must have developed in different directions.
But do remember that like many other delicacies, garlick butter intensifies
the flavour.

with garlic butter they taste of garlic :-)
--
Martin

"Kay Easton" wrote in message
...
In article , Franz Heymann notfranz.
writes

"Kay Easton" wrote in message
...
In article , shannie
writes
We found a *thing* growing at the bottom of our field, it has me
completely
mystified as I've never seen anything like it before. Im presuming its
some
form of fungi, its white, round, about the size of a soccer ball and
looks
like a big piece of marshmallow!.

There's a very good chance that it's a giant puffball. If you can get
it firmly identified, it is reputed to be one of the most delicious of
all fungi. Lucky you!!

But do check the identification first!!!

I know of nothing with which the giant puff ball can be confused.
Donkeys years ago we used to forage regularly for them in Hayes Common.
They are truly delicious.

Agreed - nothing fungal!
But I'm not going to recommend anyone to eat anything just from their
description!

There may well be wisdom in that.

Franz

The message
from Kay Easton contains these words:

There's a very good chance that it's a giant puffball. If you can get
it firmly identified, it is reputed to be one of the most delicious of
all fungi. Lucky you!!

But do check the identification first!!!

Can't be anything else. If it's white inside, slice it, peel off the
outer (thin) layer, cook the 'marshmallow, and eat it, with no fear.

There is NOTHING else like a cross between a football and a marshmallow,
and nothing remotely like it which is poisonous.

You can also slice it and fry it, or fry it in batter. Delicious!

--
Rusty http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/tqt.htm
horrid·squeak snailything zetnet·co·uk exchange d.p. with p to
reply.

The message
from "Franz Heymann" contains these words:

Agreed - nothing fungal!
But I'm not going to recommend anyone to eat anything just from their
description!

There may well be wisdom in that.

I saw this big grey animal with large ears, tusks and a trunk. It must
have weighed several tons......

--
Rusty http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/tqt.htm
horrid·squeak snailything zetnet·co·uk exchange d.p. with p to
reply.

The message
from martin contains these words:

(Giant puffballs)

I found that without flavouring them, they didn't taste of much.

You must have had a heavy cold then.

--
Rusty http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/tqt.htm
horrid·squeak snailything zetnet·co·uk exchange d.p. with p to
reply.