Winter Oyster Mushroom
The appearance of this edible heralds the end of the fall mushroom season in many places. for it requires cool weather to fruit. The cap color comes in shades of orange, blue, purple, or tan, but green is usually the predominant color of the mature fruit body. The gill surface is typical of an oyster mushroom but will show orange, ochre, yellow or tan tints in whole or in part. The above fruiting was on Sitka spruce stump, and is unusual in having much orange and little or no green in the caps, though the gills have the requisite orange tints even in the newest and smallest. The winter oyster is a flavorful edible, but if sauteed requires long cooking over low heat. It can also be roasted or grilled and seasoned to taste. The meaty texture makes it a good meat substitute and suits it well for stews