Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Seasonal Eats: 5 Ways to Make the Most of Fresh Porcini
Many planted crops are coming into season as we head into summer, but one wild item that coincides with June is the porcini mushroom, also known as Boletes or ceps. Though they are not commonly found in climates south of Santa Barbara, our fearless mushroom hunting suppliers will gladly drive them down to market (since they command a dear price).
While many common mushrooms can be farmed because they reliably flourish in controlled environments, others bloom in conditions that depend on a few factors coming together in the wild. The Bolete genus forms a symbiotic relationship with forest tree root systems, so they are foraged when fresh and dried for use year-round. The woody-flavor of porcini you may have come to know is a characteristic of the dried fungi, but the fresh mushrooms are light and delicious with a creamy, nutty flavor—certainly something to try while they're available.
Porcini are low in fat and carbohydrates. They're high in protein, vitamins (with the ability to increase in vitamin D with sunlight exposure), minerals and dietary fiber. They also contain antioxidants, antiviral compounds, and have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity. This not only makes them an ideal nutritional source for vegetarians and vegans, but a greatly beneficial addition to any diet.
Here are the best ways to make the most of fresh porcini:
- I've been playing with this cauliflower pizza crust recipe, and this month, my favorite way to have it is porcini & parmesan cauliflower crust pizza.
- Here's a delicious, vegetarian, early summer take on the parmesan prep: porcini mushroom parmesan.
- Use fresh spinach, summer basil and fresh porcini to make these tasty spinach pasta rolls with porcini and pesto
- Try out a tasty Italian comfort food, gorgonzola polenta with fresh porcini.
- Get your sustainable superfoods on with pan-seared copper river sockeye with porcini mushrooms, red bell peppers and sea beans.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist