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The smooth mushroom is one of the representatives of the large Russula family. Its other common name is common milkweed. Grows singly and in groups. A distinctive feature of the species, like all its close relatives, is that when cut, a milky juice is released from the pulp. In official reference books it can be found under the name Lactarius trivialis.
Where does the common milkweed grow?
Gladysh is a purely forest mushroom. It grows in coniferous and deciduous forests, as well as in mixed plantings. This species is found in sandy and clayey soils rich in limestone. Gladysh requires high humidity, so it can often be found near swamps and in moss.
Gladysh is distributed throughout Eurasia in the northern regions, where conditions are more favorable for its growth.
What does a smooth mushroom look like?
According to the photo and description, smoothie is a large mushroom with a classic fruiting body shape. The diameter of its upper part can reach 7-15 cm. In young specimens, the cap is hemispherical, and its edges are turned down. It is convex in the center. As it matures, the upper part of the mushroom opens and takes on a funnel-shaped shape. With slight physical impact it easily breaks and crumbles.
The color of the cap includes bluish, lead and lilac shades. Young mushrooms most often have a light lilac cap, and then it becomes pink-brown or yellowish-lilac. The surface is smooth, but with high air humidity it becomes slippery.
The pulp is fleshy, dense, yellowish in color; when it is broken, a milky juice appears, which is white in the smoothie, but turns a little green when exposed to air.
The mushroom smell of the smoothie is practically undetectable
On the reverse side of the cap there are frequent descending plates of a light cream color. In ripe smoothies, yellowish stains or stains from leaking milky juice may appear on them. The spores are round, spiny, colorless. Their size is 8-11 x 7-9 microns. Creamy spore powder.
The leg of the smoothie is cylindrical, its length can reach from 5 to 15 cm, depending on the growing conditions. Thickness varies from 1 to 3 cm.It is identical in color to the hat, but a shade lighter. At a young age, the mushroom forms a small cavity inside the stem, which only increases as it grows.
Is smooth mushroom edible or not?
According to official data, the common milkweed is classified as an edible species. But due to its peculiarity of secreting milky juice, it requires preliminary preparation before cooking. In terms of taste, it belongs to the second category.
Gladysh mushroom is considered the best for pickling, since during the cooking process it loses its bitterness and acquires a pleasant elasticity.
False doubles of Gladysh vulgare
As can be seen in the photo, it is difficult to confuse the common milkweed with other species due to the peculiar color of the fruiting body. But not all novice mushroom pickers are able to accurately distinguish smooth mushrooms from their doubles. Therefore, similar species and their characteristics should be studied.
Faded milkman
This is a close relative of the common smoothie and also belongs to the Russula family. The upper part is gray-brown or wine-brown. Moreover, its center is much darker. The leg is slightly lighter, tapering at the base. The size of the fruiting body is smaller than that of the smooth one. The diameter of the cap is 4-10 cm, and the length of the stem is 4-8 cm. When the pulp is broken, milky juice oozes abundantly. It is white in color, but acquires an olive tint when exposed to air. The mushroom is considered conditionally edible and requires pre-soaking. The official name is Lactarius vietus.
The taste of the pale milky pulp is hot-sharp
Serushka
This species also belongs to the Russula family and is considered conditionally edible. You can often hear other names for the fungus: gray hollow, seryanka, putik, podoreshnitsa, plantain. The diameter of the upper part reaches from 5 to 10 cm. Its shape is initially convex and then becomes funnel-shaped, but a small elevation remains in the center. The edges are uneven and wavy. The surface has a grayish-lead tint, the mucus is an order of magnitude less than that of smoothie. On the reverse side of the cap you can see sparse wide plates, often sinuous. The leg is cylindrical, matching the top part. Its structure is loose. The official name is Lactarius flexuosus.
When broken, the pulp of the serushka exudes a light fruity aroma.
Breast gray-pink
Another representative of the Russula family. In foreign sources it is listed as a mildly poisonous mushroom, in Russian sources it is conditionally edible, but of little value. The fruiting body is large. The size of the cap reaches 8-15 cm in diameter. It is characterized by an irregularly rounded shape. Initially hemispherical, and later it becomes like a funnel, but in some specimens the elevation in the center remains. The color is dull and includes pink, gray, brown and brown. The surface is velvety, it remains dry even with high humidity. When broken, the pulp emits a strong spicy odor and has a pungent-burning taste. The leg is thick, 5-8 cm high. The official name is Lactarius helvus.
The milky juice of gray-pink milk mushrooms is transparent and scanty; in overripe species it may be completely absent
Rules for collecting common lacticaria mushrooms
The fruiting period of the smoothie occurs in the second half of July and lasts until the beginning of September.At this time, you need to go into the forest in search of him, taking with you a sharp knife and a basket.
Gladysha mushrooms for pickling should be collected small, since young specimens have denser flesh. Cut them off at the base, leaving a small stump in the soil. This method ensures that the mycelium remains intact and will be able to bear fruit next year. Before putting the mushroom in the basket, it must be thoroughly cleaned of soil and fallen leaves.
How to cook smoothy mushroom
The common lacticaria mushroom for pickling should be used only after initial processing. This is necessary to neutralize the acrid taste of the pulp.
Initially, the laticifers need to be cleared of remnants of forest litter and soil. If necessary, remove all damaged areas and wash thoroughly. After this, the smoothie mushroom must be soaked in water for 24 hours, and the liquid must be changed at least five times during this period.
After completing this procedure, you can begin further cooking.
Gladysh mushroom recipes
The method of salting the common milkweed can be hot or cold. But any processing must be carried out after preliminary soaking.
Smoothies are great for pickling, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be pickled
Hot salting
To salt 2 kg of smoothies using the hot method, you will need:
- vegetable oil – 150 ml;
- salt – 50 g;
- water – 1 l;
- garlic – 1 large head;
- bay leaf – 2-3 pcs.;
- currant leaves, dill - optional;
- allspice – 5 pcs.
Procedure:
- Boil water, add salt and add mushrooms.
- Add spices and then simmer over low heat for 50 minutes.
- Drain the liquid into a container.
- Place milkweed, garlic, and spices into steamed jars.
- Pour salt into the marinade, add oil, mix well.
- Fill the mushrooms with the resulting liquid to the top.
- Place garlic on top and roll up.
After cooling, move the jars to the basement.
Lacteals prepared in this way can be stored for one season.
Conventional salting method
To pickle mushrooms (2 kg) in the classic way you will need:
- salt – 70 g;
- cloves – 6 pcs.;
- bay leaf – 3 pcs.;
- allspice – 8 peas;
- garlic – 6 cloves.
Procedure:
- Pour salt into the bottom of a wide enamel container in an even layer.
- Place the mushrooms on top, top down.
- Sprinkle chopped garlic and spices on them.
- Then repeat from the first step until all the mushrooms are layered.
- Sprinkle salt on top.
- Cover with multi-layer gauze and place the load.
- Place the pan with mushrooms in a cool place.
With this method of preparation, the common milkweed can be consumed within a month. And after two days, the mushrooms should be completely immersed in liquid.
During the entire waiting period, the gauze must be rinsed periodically.
Marinated smoothies
To marinate 2 kg of smooth mushrooms, you will need:
- water – 1.5 l;
- salt – 70 g;
- vinegar – 100 ml;
- sugar – 20 g;
- allspice – 5 peas;
- bay leaf – 2 pcs.
Preparation procedure:
- Boil water (1 l), adding 20 g of salt.
- Add milkweed, boil for 40 minutes.
- When finished, rinse with cold water.
- Pour 0.5 liters of water into a separate container, add the remaining ingredients, and boil.
- Add mushrooms to the marinade and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Place milkweed into sterilized jars and fill to the top.
- Sterilize for 20 minutes, roll up.
After cooling, transfer the pickled smoothies to the basement.
Marinated smoothies are no less tasty than salted ones
Conclusion
Gladysh mushroom, when properly prepared, can compete with more valuable species. Therefore, many lovers of quiet hunting are happy to collect it. In addition, this species often grows in large groups, and with luck, you can fill a basket in a matter of minutes.
