Toxic Brain

As promised in last week's post today I'm going to show the spring mushroom that I've found. I knew that it exists, but this was the first time I actually encountered it in nature, even though wiki claims it is pretty common.

This is my contribution to #FungiFriday by @ewkaw

A false morel, brain mushroom, is quite peculiar, at least according to its wiki page. Its Latin name - Gyromitra esculenta - the esculenta part - means "edible". And it used to be sold on the markets and consumed. Its toxic component causes damage to liver, kidneys and nervous system. One could think such effects would be pretty clear deterrent keeping people away from consuming it. Nope. Not a chance. It is said to be a delicacy in Scandinavia and some other places.

Recently I've read news article that some old lady was selling it in Poland as a morel. But that's illegal here. Yet there are places where it still can be sold.
But seriously, old lady, how can you mistake toxic brain for the good one as presented in @successfullady post - they are completely different!

_{Slug, noooo...! Don't eat it. Do you even have a liver?}

So maybe there is a way to get rid of the poison, like through boiling it?

I always wondered what is the point in eating toxic food that can be made edible by boiling it many times and getting rid of the poisoned water - does it even have a taste after such procedure?

It seems like boiling it turns the toxin into kind of rocket fuel. So it is not just smelly fermented herring, or rotten poisonous shark, but also rocket fuel mushroom soup. Scandinavian people are badass :o)

I admit it looks kind of nice. It has a pleasant nutbrown "cup" and contrasting creamy white stem. I haven't tried to eat it (obviously), but it must be pretty tasty if people consume it despite the danger.

_{Bonus: fresh fern leaves.}