Chanterelles are one of the most valuable species of edible mushrooms. They have excellent taste and rich chemical composition, and are never affected by worms. A large number of dishes can be prepared from chanterelles, but to preserve all the taste and useful qualities of the product after collection, it must be kept in special conditions. A detailed botanical description of this type of mushroom, storage methods, as well as the shelf life of fresh and boiled product are listed below in the article.

Chanterelles: description and photo

Chanterelles grow in groups in coniferous and deciduous forests from mid-June to late September, and you can distinguish them from other types of mushrooms by a number of specific external signs.

Did you know? The chanterelle pulp contains a special substance - quinomannose. It destroys the protective capsule of parasite eggs, preventing the appearance of worms in the fungi.

The botanical description of common chanterelles is presented below:

1. The thick leg of the mushroom has a height of 3–10 cm and expands in the direction from bottom to top, growing together with a hat.
2. The fruit body is colored orange or yellow.
3. The diameter of the hat is from 3 to 14 cm. It is asymmetrical, can have a funnel shape, and can also be open or convex.
4. The upper part is covered with smooth and thin skin, which is difficult to separate. The edges of the hat are wavy, curled down.
5. The pulp is elastic, has a dense or fibrous structure, is painted white. With a little pressure, it acquires a reddish tint.
6. The lower part of the cap consists of straight folds - pseudoplates that fall along the leg.
7. Spores are elliptical and yellow.
8. The taste of mushrooms is acidic, and their flesh exudes a light aroma resembling the smell of dried fruits.

Is it possible to store chanterelles raw

Freshly cut fruit bodies deteriorate very quickly, so storing them raw for a long time will not work. It is permissible to keep the mushrooms at temperatures up to + 10 ° С and process them during the day. Most often, fresh food is stored in the refrigerator, but the cellar, protected from sunlight, can also be used for cooling. At room temperature, raw mushrooms can be kept for no more than 6 hours.

How to store fresh chanterelles in the refrigerator

It is most convenient to keep fresh chanterelles in the refrigerator - there are optimal temperature conditions for the product. But so that the mushrooms do not lose their valuable nutritional qualities and good appearance, you need to properly prepare them for storage. It is also important to know how long a fresh product can be kept in the refrigerator or freezer.

Important! The pulp of chanterelles quickly soaks from contact with water, so it is not recommended to wash fresh mushrooms before laying it for storage.

Storage preparation

Cut fruit bodies are usually stacked in baskets or boxes, and then transported to the processing site, as a result of which part of the harvested crop may be taken or damaged.

Before laying for storage, the product must undergo such preparation:

• hats are cleaned of adhering debris, leaves and grass;
• rotted and crushed mushrooms are thrown away - they are not suitable for storage;
• the surface of the hat and plate on its lower surface is wiped with a soft sponge or brush to remove dust and dirt;
• damaged parts of the fruiting body are removed with a knife;
• mushrooms collected in wet weather are laid out in a thin layer in a warm room so that they dry out a little.

How much can be stored

The peeled and sorted fresh chanterelles are put in trays or other small containers with a thin layer. They are stored on the shelves of the refrigerator at a temperature of 0 ... + 2 ° C. In its raw form, the product is allowed to be kept in such conditions only 1 day.

Storage of chanterelles in the freezer

To preserve fresh mushrooms for a longer period, they can be frozen. At the same time, the product fully retains its original taste and shape.

To store raw mushrooms in the freezer, you need to perform the following sequence of actions:

1. Sort and rinse the mushrooms, cut off the bottom of their legs.
2. Lay the product on a towel, allow the fruit to dry at room temperature.
3. Put fruit bodies in one layer in a tray or tray, put in the freezer.
4. When the mushrooms freeze, carefully transfer them to a plastic bag and tie it. Store product in the freezer.

Freshly frozen fruit bodies can be kept in the freezer for 4 months. To track the shelf life, a sticker with the specified date of freezing is glued on each package.

How to store fried chanterelles

To increase the shelf life of the chanterelles, they are heat treated. After this, the mushrooms can also be kept in the refrigerator or frozen.

To save fried chanterelles, you need:

1. Go through the mushrooms and rinse them thoroughly in running water. Large specimens can be cut into pieces.
2. Boil water on a stove in a suitable pan. Add some salt.
3. Dip the fruiting bodies in boiling water. Cook for 20 minutes over medium heat until they sink to the bottom of the container.
4. Discard boiled mushrooms in a colander, drain excess fluid.
5. Preheat the pan on the stove. Pour vegetable oil into it.
6. Put the mushrooms in a pan, fry them over medium heat for about 20 minutes until cooked, periodically stirring with a spatula.
7. Put the finished product in jars or small trays. Fill containers with oil remaining after frying.
8. Allow the mushrooms to cool at room temperature, and then put them in the refrigerator or freezer.

Fried chanterelles do not deteriorate at temperatures up to + 2 ° C for 4 days, and they can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Important! Boiling mushrooms before frying is not necessary, but raw chanterelles need to be cooked in a pan longer - about 30-40 minutes.

How to store dried chanterelles

You can save the product for the winter by drying it in the sun and in the oven. After this, the mushrooms can be used as a whole or grind them into powder, getting a flavorful seasoning for soups and main dishes.

To save the dried product, you need:

1. Go through the mushrooms, clean them from dirt with a napkin (you can not wash the product in water).
2. Remove the legs and string the hats on a strong thread. Hang them in the sun so they become slightly dried.
3. Remove the hats from the thread, lay them on a baking sheet with a thin layer.
4. Dry the mushrooms in the oven at a temperature of + 60 ° C until they begin to bend easily.
5. Transfer dried hats to paper or fabric bags. You can use clean cans with screw caps.

It is recommended to keep dried chanterelles in a dark and dry place with good ventilation away from products with a pungent odor. Shelf life is 1-2 years.

Every housewife wants to keep fresh chanterelles for several days or months, using them to prepare various dishes. This article gives a detailed answer to the question of how to freeze and dry mushrooms so that they do not lose their original taste and aroma.