Chanterelles [found at Whole Foods in Wheaton!!]

That's why I trudge out to that horribly inconvenient (no expressway access) location. They sometimes have chanterelles, and today was one of those days.

Now at $25 a pound it's probably good I don't find them TOO often.

Now I have to figure what to do with them. Last time I found a recipe in a book of mine for Veal Chops with Chanterelles, and oh was that one of the best meals I ever ate, and better than so many pricey restaurant meals too.

Well, I could do that again, or maybe can find a cheaper way to go, but wanted to give you the heads up on them being there.

If you think you could find them at another Whole Foods, I'd call first and check. I don't think things like this are standard for all locations.

Nancy

Boy, I'd swear I've seen fresh Chantrelles at Caputo's, also. I know you're there with some regularity, Nancy, have you seen them ever?

Caputo's in Hanover Park is my most frequent shopping site.

They always have button, crimini, portobello, shiitake and oyster mushrooms. I have never seen a special more exotic mushroom there.

Their oyster mushrooms aren't particularly great, or I'm not a big fan of oyster mushrooms.

Perhaps another location is different, or "the other" Caputo's - I have the Angelo Caputo's w locations in Elmwood Park (the oldest), Hanover Park, Addison and Bloomingdale.

Nancy

At this time of the year I'm surprised there are chanterelles. $25/lb isn't surprising then, at least if they are good and fresh.

HI,

Fresh wild chanterelles in the Chicago area are late July and August. These must be coming from the west coast. If they are not encased in plastic, then you may want to take a quick sniff. There are many who feel the odor suggests apricots.

Regards,

By the way, the chanterelles were excellent, Whole Foods in Wheaton must have an unusual source.

They were loose, so if you find them there, you can take a sniff. I hadn't known about apricots, but they smelled super delicious so I bought them.

That's the second time in about 10 months I've found chanterelles there. They don't get them often, so I guess they must not bother when they can't get good ones.

Nancy

I got some at whole foods at North/Sheffield about 6 weeks ago. Only $19.99/lb (bought 1/4 lb). Kinda rendered them moot, however, when I overcooked them in the chicken dish I made later that night and they became an unrecognizable mass of goo.

note to self: do not cook $20/lb shrooms for 40 minutes, even if the recipe calls for it. add in the last 8-10 minutes to retain color & texture. One of the only times Molto Mario has steered me wrong.

I bought fresh chanterelles at the Evanston Farmers' Market last Saturday. Even with little more than a quick bath in hot butter and a sprinkling of chopped shallots, thyme, salt, and pepper, they were intensely flavorful, with a velvety mouthfeel and a long finish.

Superb. And at $40/lb., they should be. I paid $10 for a bag and it was entirely worth it.

Cathy2 wrote:HI,

Fresh wild chanterelles in the Chicago area are late July and August. These must be coming from the west coast. If they are not encased in plastic, then you may want to take a quick sniff. There are many who feel the odor suggests apricots.

Regards,

I saw Chatrelles at Whole Foods last week, encased in plastic. There was a sticker on the package that said "Product of Lithuania".

Last fall Costco had 1 lb. packages of chanterelles for $6.99. I'm hoping they get the same deal this fall.

Hey everyone,
I'm looking for some chanterelles in the Chicagoland area. I haven't seen any this season, even though last year they seemed out and about.
Anyone seen them at farmers markets, grocery stores, veggie stands, Costco or in the woods (jk I'm not much of a forager...)
Thanks!
--S

Hi,

If your timing was predicated on last years experience, everything came up early. Chanterelles found wild in this area is mid to late July into August.

Costco's chanterelles are from the west coast with availability typically in late October into November. Maybe others found them at different times, so this is based on my experience. These west coast chanterelles are giants compared to those found here.

Regards,

Its mid August and I have not been able to cook with chanterelles yet. I go to the wednesday MCA farmers market and usually shop at WF but I havent seen them at either. I am dying to try to cook a pork belly chanterelle.

Fresh chanterelles are currently on sale at Treasure Island for a relatively modest $19.95/lb. They also customarily stock dried chanterelles for emergency use.