Mike Fochuk and his family were hiking near Plato Island Resort on Quesnel Lake recently when their 12-year-old son Grady found a seven-pound Cauliflower Mushroom.
“They are very unusual but extremely edible,” Mike said of their find.
“I say that with a bit of hesitation because I would want to make sure people know how to properly identify them.”
The Fochuks used to pick mushrooms commercially, but now it’s something they’ll do for a day out.
Mike said regular mushroom hunters know when they are hunting in mature forests with 30 to 40 years spruce, cedar and fir stands, they may see Cauliflower mushrooms now and then.
“They are worth picking,” he added.
Known as Sparassis in Latin, the Cauliflower Mushroom tastes mild and nutty.
With theirs they made a creamed soup and a mushroom casserole.