Bohemians are great mushroom pickers and lovers. This autumn on our trip to Bohemia and Moravia we were touring an incredible library and country house near Brno. After meeting with an academic and conservation staff we sat a few minutes in their offices. Smack dab on the middle of the work table was this "houby basket".
Yes--this is a vintage basket, lined with leaves--used to wander in the woods and pick mushrooms. Something about this seemed so timeless and charming to me. Everyone loves mushrooms in Bohemia--and foraging for them was a lunch hour pastime. Soooo Hansel and Gretel!!!
French markets have cepes mushrooms this time of year. I remember traveling in the south of France and seeing cepes offered in recipes from omlettes to bread. The flavor is remarkable and you just smell and taste the woods while eating them. They are one of those foods that you have to eat in season--right now-not later. They do not transport well. French strawberries are like that--you buy your fruit and must eat it that day. The water content is so high and the taste is so delicate that they deteriorate in the fridge or even overnight.
That is a crystal clear memory from my childhood. In addition to the clear Midwestern seasons that would mark ones life years, fresh fruits and vegetables that were not available year round were like that. Mushrooms-strawberries-peaches-tomatoes-figs---the march of time just like winter/spring/summer/autumn.
What do mushrooms have to do with antiques? Last year at the Elkhorn Antique Flea Market in May--some dealer was selling morels for $20.00 a pound. I balked at the price and passed them up.
Please come back to Elkhorn this year Mr. Antique and Houby Man.
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