We’re thrilled to have Dan Madura of Madura Farms, as our first guest blogger, to share his words of wisdom on growing mushrooms without chemicals. He manages his organic farm, without being ‘USDA certified.’ His family has been farming in Orange county since the 1800s. ‘Everything we need for life has been given to us–we just need to cultivate it…’ Take a seat and listen.
Maitake or “Hen of the Woods”
Where’d they get their name?
The name “Hen of the Woods” refers to its appearance, which strongly resembles a hen with ruffled feathers.
The Japanese name “Maitake” means dancing mushroom – is not meant to describe the mushroom, but rather the actions of the person lucky enough to find one, which grow local and wild. You can find them in the forrest, but make sure you find the right one, though. Because if you don’t, it can be bad.
How do you pick them out?
They look like a coral reef.
Is it difficult to grow?
One of the mushrooms you can find in the woods. We grow ours on oak logs. This way they’re more full-flavored and keep their nutritional value. They have many nutritional values: fight cancers, prevent heart disease…
Fresh or Jarred
Better Fresh.
How can we get them?
Medura Farms and Doe Re Mi Farms.
All over: Scarsdale, Hastings, Irvington , Dobbs Ferry, and down in the city. Hopefully, come wintertime, we’re coming up with something where we’re dropping things off at people[‘s homes], so hopefully [the Maitake] can be part of that.
How to prepare them
It can be eaten by itself or with a protein like a steak.
Sauté with garlic and scallions. 5-7 minutes. At the end you can add some Soy sauce or some Worcheshire sauce, over a bed of rice or some pasta.