Edible Amber Jelly Roll Mushroom
Amber Jelly Roll Mushrooms can persist for months in a frozen state or shriveled up during periods of drought and then spring back to life during periods of warmth or rain. The fact that these mushrooms are available during the winter months makes them particularly valuable as a food source. They aren't likely to be your sole source of sustenance, but they are a welcome addition and can help fill in the gaps.
The biggest downfall is the look and the taste, or rather lack of taste. Despite the mouth watering name the Amber Jelly Roll Mushroom is not a sugar sweet dessert and doesn't taste like one at all. The flavor is very very bland. And the look, well let's just say they don't look all that appetizing either.
However, they absolutely do not taste bad and once cooked in a soup or stew you will hardly notice them at all. Cut up into little pieces they help add substance to the meal and in no way detract from it at all.
So let's get down to the business of finding them and identifying them. Identification of Amber Jelly Roll Mushroom is relatively easy. Simply look for a blob of brownish jelly like substance growing on decaying plant matter like sticks, stumps and logs. Where to look? Look for them on hardwood debris. I seem to most often find them on small to medium sized sticks. Often on branches still attached to the tree, but they can be found on logs and stumps frequently as well. The key is hardwoods and not on conifers, like pines for instance. Where? Virtually everywhere!
And like I said earlier, they can be found 12 months of the year. So get over the look and get to cooking! Cooking is important. These mushrooms should always be washed and then cooked thoroughly. Some say you can eat them raw. I would not want to eat them raw simply because of the look and taste.
