Porcini Mushrooms Delivery or Pickup

Bearing the Italian name Porcini, meaning little piglets, it was a term used by the Ancient Romans referring to the animal's love for eating the mushrooms or the mushroom's thick and chubby aspect. Porcini is famous for having a unique aspect compared to other mushrooms, and therefore it's not too difficult to pick in the wild. 

Porcini is hard to come by in the U.S., and they are one of the most sought-after mushrooms. Italy is the country that popularized the mushrooms around the world but it also grows in other countries in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. Though, Porcini mushrooms are highly prized in countries of France and Italy and this is the main reason why these mushrooms are mentioned as delicacies in these cuisines.

The Porcini season in Europe is in the fall, and many mushroom enthusiasts head to the forest to handpick them. These have a brown cap with thick, white stalks and can weigh up to two pounds though usually less. In commercial use, the Porcini mushroom is more than likely dried for export or later consumption. Even though the mushroom has been dried, this process gives the mushrooms an even deeper flavor. These mushrooms are described as being nutty and earthy in flavor.

Porcini also contain a lot of essential nutrients including protein, copper, zinc, selenium, potassium, calcium, and B, C, and A vitamins. They also contain a lot of fiber which helps to stimulate digestion and are low in saturated and unsaturated fats, as well as being low in calories.

Porcini are usually on the expensive side because of their short season, the difficulty in cultivating them, and their status in fine cuisine. Fresh Porcini should be cooked as soon as possible while dried Porcini can last a long time as long as they are stored in a cool and dry place.

Nowadays, you can buy Porcini fresh, dried, frozen, added to rice, couscous, and stuffed in pasta. In the Borgotaro area near Parma, Italy, they have a protection designation status.

Risotto with Porcini mushrooms is a classic dish to try by sauteing the sliced mushrooms first and preparing the risotto in another pot. Add the Porcini once the rice is almost finished, and turn off the stove once it's ready. Add butter and Parmesan cheese and mix together.

Porcini mushrooms also add a hearty and rich addition to pasta. Usually, these are sauteed in a pan with some butter or olive oil and are then added to pasta to complete a rich dish. Pasta with Porcini can be done with tomato sauce, with sausage, bacon, or cheeses so there are a variety of options to enjoy it. Porcini mushrooms also go well with meat, vegetables, salty pies, and breads so there's no lack of ideas in the kitchen.

Porcini mushrooms are not common fresh in stores in the U.S. If you do happen to find these fresh, make sure these have a healthy color to them. The top should be smooth and brown, and the gills underneath should be a light gray.

If the gills are yellow, it means the mushroom is not good to eat. Stalks should be free of any holes and if the flesh has odd colors to it, it's gone bad.