Mushroom season starts this weekend in parts of Iowa

Iowans who covet munchable morel mushrooms will be searching for them out in the woods and other secret spots this weekend. Much like some trout fishermen conceal their best spots, morel hunters don’t often share places were they purloin their perennial prey. Iowa State University botany professor Lois Tiffany says she’ll soon be seeking out the spongy treats. The season runs in Iowa from roughly April 20th to May 20th. She explains how to identify the morel. They have a sponge-like top, are three-to-six inches tall and are generally gray or yellow or tan. Later in the month-long season, they may grow to eight inches in height. Tiffany says there are all sorts of ways to eat a morel. She says a number of people commonly sauté them, while others chose to fry them. As far as telling the real thing from a “false” morel, Tiffany says to slice the ‘shroom lengthwise. If it’s hollow and the cap is attached to the stalk for most of its length, it’s a morel. False morels could contain poison.