How can cauliflower evoke such strong memories and emotion? This dish is a tribute to my grandmother. The memories are bittersweet, but this cauliflower - and the wild mushrooms - are delicious.
My Grandmother's Cauliflower
Both of my grandmothers had a strong influence on me. I regularly quote one who lived life with joy and often hosted family gatherings. But this cauliflower dish is a tribute to my other grandmother. Her life was more difficult.
Sometimes she could barely cope with life. Growing up, it was uncertain what a visit would be like. Would she stand in her bedroom doorway, mentally unable to even come out and join the family? Or would she be fine - happy that the family was all together and able to cook and join the conversation and fun?
Nowadays, medical science understands mental health so much better than when my grandmother needed help. I'm glad there are ways of treating depression that are not as barbaric as what she experienced.
As a child, I didn't understand what was behind her changeable nature. But when she was in good spirits, she cooked cauliflower for our family gatherings. She did it simply -- just steaming the cauliflower until it was so, so soft. And then topping it with a piece of cheddar cheese that would slowly melt on top. I loved that cauliflower. And I still do today.
Finding Late Fall Waxy Cap Mushrooms
I found an under-appreciated wild mushroom last week -- the Late Fall Waxy Cap mushroom, Hygrophorus hypothejus. These mushrooms have a lot of variety in the newly emerged mushrooms. They remind me of my grandmother, too, with her variety of moods. So I wanted to use these mushrooms with my cauliflower.
Ready to Eat!
This isn't a complicated dish. But it's a good dish. The cauliflower is a sweet, satisfying bite. Their soft texture goes well with these mild-flavored substantial mushrooms.
This plate of my grandmother's cauliflower might look fancier than what she served. But it links me to her, with love and affection. And it makes sense that I serve them with wild mushrooms. Her son is my father. And he took me along to search for wild morel mushrooms when I was young. I love them both and I am thankful for the food memories I have from them.
I made this dish the day before leaving to visit my parents over the Thanksgiving holidays. I enjoyed taking my leftovers with me to eat during my travels. I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season!
What Do You Think?
- Do you any foods evoke strong memories for you?
- Have you ever found or eaten Hygrophorus hypothejus mushrooms?
- Do you forage for any mushrooms?
- Would you eat my cauliflower with the wild late fall waxy cap mushrooms?
I eat a lot of wild plants and show you how, because I believe that we can all have lives that are richer, more secure, more grounded, and more interesting by getting to know the plants and the land around us – in our yards, our parks, and our wild places.
I would like Steemit to be the premier site for Foraging on the Internet! If you have any thoughts about foraging, or experiences to share, write a post and be sure to use the Foraging tag. And check out the @foraging-trail to see curated quality posts about foraging. Happy Foraging!
Thanks @progressivechef for creating the Steemit Iron Chef contest series!
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Plant List
- Late Fall Wax Cap mushroom - Hygrophorus hypothejus
- Italian Flat-leaf parsley - Petroselinum crispum - leaves
- Cauliflower - Brassica oleracea
