In the woods with Maria Halse
We wandered into the forest with Maria Halse – SoMe manager and proud nature nerd – to forage for mushrooms and explore one of her deepest fascinations.
What are you gathering these days?
Late summer and autumn usually bring chanterelles and boletes. After a wet and warm summer, porcini, funnel chanterelles, black trumpets, and hedgehog mushrooms start to appear in my secret spots. I’m especially fond of the funnel chanterelle – it’s easy to identify, delicious, and where there’s one, there are always more. It’s like a treasure hunt for me!
When and how did your mushroom journey begin?
As a child, I loved drawing, often creating realistic nature sketches based on the flora and fauna books my mother had – especially mushrooms. So my interest started from an aesthetic place.
Later it evolved into a desire to understand the species, tell them apart, and bring the edible ones home. I’ve always loved good food, so the idea of wandering in nature with the intention of cooking something special really appealed to me. A few years ago, I joined a guided walk, started reading up on mushroom varieties, and even found a small community of like-minded nature nerds online.
What’s your next adventure?
Every year, I go on a mushroom foraging trip with a close group of friends. It’s become a beloved autumn ritual: we drive to the same fairytale-like moss-covered forest, start the day with buns and enamel mugs of coffee on the forest floor, brief any newcomers on what to look for, and then we head out to fill our baskets. We always return home to cook mushroom toast and share red wine. It’s a magical way to be together.
What’s the best meal you’ve made with your own finds?
When the season ends, I usually have enough mushrooms to dry and save. So on a dark, cold February evening, pulling them out, soaking them, and simmering them into a creamy sauce or a stew with wine and root vegetables – that’s pure gold. You really cherish them because they feel like a rare, precious resource.
