Lactarius deliciosus
Yesterday on my walk I noticed an orange delicious on the trail, it was way past its prime, but I took a detour home through an area I know they grow well in and caught the end of a decent flush, it seems a bit early for them, but also time has been slipping away oddly this year, so I picked all the good ones and plan to hit up some other known spots.
I love orange delicious (or saffron milk caps) they do have a pretty mixed reputation, I consistently read people who say they are barely palatable, and yet they seem to be highly prized in much of Eastern Europe. I find the ones growing in my area to live up to their delicious name.
I usually find them in early to mid fall, in spruce areas that are slightly disturbed and somewhat dry, most of my best spots are fairly open higher areas next to drainage systems, low spots or creeks.
They have a fairly mild flavor and I’ll use them in most anything that calls for some mushrooms, or even just sautee them in some butter, as they brown and crisp nicely. They are pretty firm and crisp, and will hold up well to even pickling.
I have had extremely good luck in preserving them by just thinly slicing and air drying them, and reconstituting them in water.