Giant Puffball Mushrooms Delivery or Pickup

Originally called Calvatia Gigantea, giant puffball mushrooms are a special type of mushroom, notable due to their unusual shape and size. Unlike most mushrooms, they lack the usual cap and stem, as they usually just have the appearance of a large white globe. They vary in size, with most having a circumference between four and 30 inches, but it's not uncommon for some to develop even further. A larger-than-average specimen of a giant puffball mushroom can grow to almost two feet in length.

A giant puffball mushroom can hold over 7 trillion spores. It releases them either by being cracked open or through a small opening at the top, allowing the wind to spread them. It is an edible mushroom with a nutty and earthy taste that quickly absorbs other flavors, suitable to being used in a wide range of dishes. Aside from being good to eat, they also have potential medical uses, with its dry spores reportedly being used by Native Americans as a natural coagulant that stops the bleeding in case of an open wound and prevents infection.

Preparing a giant puffball mushroom for cooking is typically easier than a regular mushroom because of its round shape and thick skin, keeping most dirt and debris on the outer side. Therefore, all you have to do is peel off the skin, and you will be left with a clean interior. Although some people also eat the skin, it is usually much tougher to chew than the inside of the mushroom. However, it is usually best to keep the skin on until you're ready to cook the mushroom, as this can keep the interior part from drying out.

The two main things you need to pay attention to when picking out giant puffball mushrooms are correctly identifying them from other similar-looking types of mushrooms and picking them at an appropriate age. A giant puffball mushroom that is at the right age to be picked and consumed usually has a white and thick interior. If the interior has a brown, purple, yellow, or black interior, it shouldn't be eaten. They are best consumed right after harvesting, as they do not keep their freshness for long. 

However, if you don't want to concern yourself with knowing how to pick out a ripe and delicious giant puffball mushroom, you can have it delivered to your doorstep instead via an online shopper with Instacart. They can deliver your produce in as little as 2 hours or at most in a day, depending on your geographical location!

Just like regular mushrooms, giant puffballs can mix with a wide variety of dishes. However, if they are not properly cooked, they usually get soggy. One of the best ways to prepare them is by cutting them into slices and cooking them in a skillet along with some oil until they reach a golden exterior color. This golden crust helps keep the entire flavor on the inside.  They can also be grilled after coating them in oil, and even battered and fried, although that is a less healthy way than the others. 

Their ability to soak up the flavors from other ingredients makes them an excellent substitute for tofu, so they can be cut into cubes, grilled, and used in any tofu-based recipe.