In summer or winter – porcini mushrooms are always the right choice

Autumn is the season of enjoying the wild fruits. Everything that has been ripening under the tempting summer sun is ready to be ripened or turned into a delicious winter stock. But the pantry is not the only place filled with tasty fruits and vegetables. Those are to be found in the shade of warm forests too, especially mushrooms: pretty, tender, with thick stems and irresistible smell. 

Mr. Porcini – the forest king 

If you spot a beautiful, large mushroom with a large brown cap and a plump, barrel-shaped stem, it’s probably some kind of porcini. They may be chunky, but don’t be mistaken – they’re not easy to spot under the fallen brown leaves. Furthermore, there are many kinds of porcini out there, so one should pay attention to where to pick them, how they smell, and what color appears upon cutting the cap and stem. If you’re an inexperienced picker, don’t hesitate to show them to someone with relevant knowledge and experience or simply buy them on the market. Except for being so tasty and versatile in terms of preparation, porcinis are nutritionally valuable. Low in fat, rich in protein and valuable minerals such as potassium, iron, and zinc, they are colloquially known as kings of mushrooms. 

A tasty addition to any pasta

Porcini is mostly used as a main ingredient of tasty dips and sauces that accompany meat or pasta. For this purpose, summer porcini is especially esteemed. It is easily recognizable due to its excessively dark, almost black cap. It can be preserved by drying, and once dried, it can be ground and used as spice or simply as a substitute for the fresh ones out of season. If you plan to use it as a substitute for the fresh ones, don’t forget to soak them in the water for 30 min before cooking. When finished, don’t just throw the water as it is an excellent substitute for the stock. In our restaurant, you can try both fresh and dried porcini at the same time! We serve both with a traditional Istrian pasta, pljukanci, and to make it more spicy, we have thrown in some prosciutto and black truffle. This combination brings a touch of magical Istria in beautiful Dalmatia and constitutes a unique experience for every gourmet’s palate.