Mushrooms have been esteemed in Italy for centuries. Seneca, a first century Roman philosopher, dramatist, and statesman, said of mushrooms, "[They] are not really food, but are relished to bully the sated stomach into further eating." Species that are more or less obscure today were highly valued in antiquity.

Throughout ancient cultures mushrooms have been thought to possess medicinal properties. Even Hippocrates prescribed them for healing. While some of their proposed healing abilities are strictly folklore, recent medical studies have recognized genuine medicinal value. Some varieties produce a laxative effect, others provide a natural antibiotic, offer protection against tumours, lower cholesterol, or boost the immune system.

Mushroom foraging was primarily a family-based activity among Italians over the long course of culinary history. In the past two decades, amateur and commercial mushroom gathering has increased, and group foraging has become  a favorite Sunday activity during the  autumn season, spurred by  culinary appreciation and the price of certain species, (i.e. funghi porcini). With the increase in gathering as a past-time the Italian government has imposed regulations that, in many regions,has turned foraging in the wilds into a largely illegal and furtive activity.

In Lazio, you'll need to take a short course, pass a test and get a license if you want to forage legally. If you haven't the time or language skills for that, the next best thing is foraging in your neighborhood market. At this time of year, you'll find
a variety of mushrooms, indigenous to the region. These mushrooms are commonly
found in Lazio:
Porcini -  Corpulent white stalk with dark brown cap, usually found under chestnut trees.
Ovoli Buoni -  Latin name: Amanita Caesarea. Thin stalk, orange in colour, can be found from July to October under oak trees in dry environments.
Porcinelli -  Can be red, or orange in colour, found in the summer and autumn seasons. Robust, on a chubby stalk,  sometimes has large dimensions.
Prataioli -  White in colour, can be found in spring and fall seasons in fields or clearings.
Gallinacci -  Yellow-orange in colour, grows in the spring and fall seasons in circles or groups in mucus soil.
Spugnole -   Brownish in colour, it grows in the spring season, on sandy or rocky grounds.
Chiodini - So called because they are shaped like "little nails," they grow just about
anywhere in the fall season. If the ground freezes, these mushrooms become
toxic.

Barring the Ovoli Buoni, which makes an excellent salad, most other mushrooms can be used in pasta sauces or as an ingredient in risotto, soup, vegetable tarts  and filling for roast chicken, turkey or other poultry. Sautéed and seasoned mushrooms are delicious toppings for bruschette. The thick meat-like texture of the porcini makes a hearty second course when grilled or sautéed  and served with a
mixed green salad.

Ovali Salad:
2 ovoli
salt
pepper
olive oil
fresh sage
Once cleaned and left to dry, cut paper thin slices using a sharp knife or truffle cutter. Season with olive oil, pepper and salt and sprinkle with fresh sage.

How to obtain a license:
Since the late 1990s, a law established on a national level requires that you obtain a tesserino (permit or license) to pick mushrooms. In Lazio, the license is issued to those over 14 years of age who have attended a course. Knowing a bit about the funghi (mushrooms)  is a good thing. Each year thousands suffer from mushroom poisoning in Italy. You can apply at:

Provincia di Roma Servizio Caccia e Pesca, Ufficio Funghi
Via Nomentana # 54
00161 Roma

Tel: 06 676 63412
Fax: 0667663410
Open to the public Monday - Friday 9 am -12:30 pm and 3-4 pm

Where to pick mushrooms (or just take a lovely walk and look for them):

Parco Regionale dei Castelli Romani (35 km southeast of Rome in the Collii Albani).
By car:
From Rome, the GRA (Gran Raccordo Anulare): take the exit 21-22 Anagnina-Tuscolana. Follow Anagnina, direction Grottaferrata, or Tuscolana, direction Frascati and Rocca Priora.
By Train:
Roma Termini or Roma Tiburtina railway station:
- Roma-Frascati line to : Frascati (10 kms)
- Roma-Velletri line. to  Lanuvio, Velletri

More informatin (in Italian):
www.parks.it/parco.castelli.romani/

Vicarello - borgo and park area between Trevignano and Bracciano overlooking Lago di Bracciano (35 km north of Rome)
By car:
Take the Cassia Bis to Bracciano, Trevignano, Manziano, Angullara exit. Go left on the Settevene Palo passing through the town of Trevignano Romano. Continue outside the town for 5 km along the Settevene Palo with view of Lago Bracciano to your left. The verdant landscape to the right rises into a dense forest - turn right onto a country road, park and begin your hike into the forest area of Vicarello.

Bassano Romano (Viterbo)
By car:
Take the Cassia Bis north for 35 km. Look for indication to Bassano Romano on the left side of the road. The sign will read; Trevignano, Bassano Romano which appears just before the Sutri exit. Once off the main thoroughfare continue 2 km and turn right onto Via Cornacchie. Follow the road which leads into the forest area that hovers above Lago di Bracciano.

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