Polyporus squamosus: photo and description, recipe for preparation

The scaly tinder fungus is commonly known as the pest or hare. It belongs to the family Polyporaceae, class Agaricomycetes.

Description of the scaly tinder fungus

The scaly tinder fungus has an unusual appearance, which makes it easy to distinguish it from other varieties of the Polypore family.

Cap Description

Its diameter is from 10 to 40 cm. The hat is leathery, dense and fleshy, shaped like a fan. It is light yellow in color with patches of a dark brown hue, resembling scales, arranged symmetrically in a circle. The cap is slightly depressed at the base. In young fruiting bodies, it is kidney-shaped, but straightens out as it grows.

The pulp of the pestretsa mushroom is dense, with a pleasant aroma. It becomes woody as it grows.

The photo of the scaly tinder fungus shows that the spores of the cap are large, angular in shape.

Description of the leg

The leg reaches 10 cm in length, does not exceed 4 cm in diameter. At the base, the leg is denser, at the top it is like a grid, loose. Below it has a black-brown color, but at the cap its color changes to whitish.

The scaly tinder fungus has both straight and curved legs. More often they grow on the side in relation to the hat.

Varieties of scaly tinder fungi

There are fruiting bodies related to the pestret:

1. Bumpy tinder fungus. Belongs to the category of inedible, prefers to grow at the roots of trees. The hat is fan-shaped, firm to the touch. Its color is the most diverse: there are fruiting bodies of various shades of brown and orange.

   

2. Cellular tinder fungus belongs to the category of edible fruiting bodies. His hat is oval, orange, reddish or yellow. Dark depressions are visible on its surface. The stem is smooth and short. The pulp of this variety is very hard, has no pronounced taste and aroma.

   

Where and how do scaly tinder grow

Mushrooms prefer to grow on trees whose immunity is weakened. It is possible to meet them both in parks and in broad-leaved forest plantations.

According to the photo and description, the scaly tinder fungus prefers to grow singly or in groups, prone to the formation of fan-shaped colonies

Fruiting in scaly tinder fungi lasts from May to August. Most often, mushrooms are found in the southern regions. In the middle lane, this variety practically does not grow. Mushroom pickers also harvest in Europe, North America, the Crimea, Kamchatka, the Far East and the Krasnodar Territory.

Most often it grows on elm, maple and beech, it is not found on coniferous trees.

Twins and their differences

Among the fungi resembling the scaly pester is the tuberous tinder fungus. His hat grows from 5 to 15 cm, has a yellow-reddish tint. On its entire surface there are small scales of a brownish color, forming a symmetrical pattern. As the fungus grows, it becomes less noticeable.

The main difference from the scaly tinder fungus is the presence of large pores and a stem located in the center.

Has a smaller mushroom

The double of the scaly tinder fungus is edible, but it is rarely eaten: fruiting bodies do not have pronounced taste qualities, often in the early stages of development they are affected by pests

Why are scaly tinder fungi dangerous for trees

A fungus, growing on a tree, parasitizes on it, sucking water and organic matter out of it. The process lasts more than one year, so the initial signs of damage appear gradually.

The fungus continues to parasitize on a dead carrier

As the scaly tinder grows older, the tree gradually dries out, becomes brittle and breaks under the influence of weather conditions.

Although the activity of the scaly tinder fungus is destructive, it benefits the forest: old trees die, making room for new plantations.

Edible scaly tinder fungus or not

Before harvesting, you should make sure that the fruiting body can be taken as food. The scaly tinder fungus is usually classified as an edible mushroom, so it is used by a person for various purposes.

Most mushroom pickers avoid collecting fruiting bodies due to their mediocre taste.

The healing properties of scaly tinder fungi

In the pharmaceutical market, fruiting bodies are added to various preparations aimed at restoring the functions of organs and systems lost due to poisoning.

The scaly tinder fungus is able not only to remove poisons, but also heavy metals and gases, and has an antioxidant effect.

In traditional medicine, decoctions and infusions are made on its basis to restore the efficiency of the gallbladder, and they also make ointments for osteochondrosis, varicose veins and arthrosis. The scaly tinder fungus is known as an antifungal agent.

The use of scaly tinder fungi in folk medicine

The dosage and method of preparation of tinctures and decoctions vary depending on the purpose.

Recipes:

1. For constipation: dry the mushroom and grind it into powder, take a pinch daily in the morning with 100 ml of water for 7 days.
2. For wounds: powder from the fruiting bodies is sprinkled on the focus of inflammation, an aseptic bandage is applied on top, which is changed twice a day, until complete healing.
3. For insomnia: pour 180 g of raw materials into 0,5 liters of vodka and leave for 3 days. After the time has passed, strain, take 1 tsp. a day an hour before bedtime, dissolving the medicine in 100 ml of water.
4. For cardiac pathologies: 2 tsp. scaly tinder powder pour ½ cup of water and leave for 2 days, then strain the infusion. Take 1 tbsp. l. three times a day before meals.

Water infusions should be taken within 1-2 days, alcohol tinctures are preserved throughout the course of treatment in glassware

How to cook scaly tinder fungi

The scope of pestrets is very wide: they are consumed fresh, pickled and boiled, added to various dishes. To preserve the crop for the winter, freezing and drying of the mushroom is possible.

Recipes for making scaly tinder fungi

The tinder scaly can be eaten, but it requires pre-treatment. The taste of the mushroom depends on the literacy of the procedure.

Cleaning and preparing mushrooms

In order to preserve the beneficial properties of the scaly tinder fungus as much as possible, you must be able to cook it correctly.

It is permissible to eat only young fruiting bodies: they are assigned the fourth edibility group

Old polypores are scaly hard, which negatively affects their taste. They should be processed immediately after returning from the forest. To do this, the fruiting body, cleaned of dirt and debris, is placed in water for 12-24 hours. If this procedure is neglected, then the scaly tinder fungus will become woody, which will adversely affect its taste.

At the end of the procedure, the mushroom should be pulled out, the scales removed from the cap, and the leg cut off. It is unsuitable for food, as it is very tough.

How to cook soup with scaly tinder fungus

In order not to spoil the taste of the dish, young fruiting bodies should be used after pre-treatment.

Ingredients:

• comb – 0,5 kg;
• carrots of medium size – 1 pcs .;
• onion – 1 pcs .;
• potatoes – 4 pcs .;
• greens to taste;
• vegetable oil.

Mushrooms should be thoroughly washed, cut off the leg and remove the scales. Grind the tinder fungus in any way.

In soup, the edible tinder fungus gives it a rich aroma and taste, so it is preferable to grate it.

Put a container of water on the stove and put the mushrooms there, lightly salt the broth. After boiling the liquid, remove the foam formed on its surface with a slotted spoon. Then the soup needs to be simmered over low heat for 30 minutes.

While the broth is cooking, chop the carrots with a coarse grater, cut the onion into cubes. Fry vegetables in a little oil.

Potatoes should be chopped, cut into cubes, then added to the broth along with onions and carrots. Simmer the soup for 15 minutes until the potatoes are ready.

Serve the soup on the table, after sprinkling with herbs

How to cook fried scaly tinder mushrooms with onions

Main Ingredients:

• scaly tinder fungus – 500 g;
• Onion – 2 units;
• greenery;
• salt pepper;
• vegetable oil.

Before cooking scaly tinder mushrooms, they should be washed, chopped and boiled for 15-20 minutes.

Pour oil into a frying pan, heat well. Finely chop the onion, then fry until golden brown. As the vegetable cooks, add mushrooms to it, simmer for 15 minutes.

When serving, sprinkle the finished dish with herbs.

Scaled polypores stewed in sour cream

A common dish made from scaly tinder fungus is pestrets stewed in sour cream.

Main Ingredients:

• onion – 1 pcs .;
• mushrooms – 0,5 kg;
• greenery;
• cream 20% – 200g;
• salt pepper;
• vegetable oil.

Grind the scaly tinder fungus and boil. Onion cut into cubes, fry in a pan until transparent. Add mushrooms, salt and pepper to the vegetable, mix well. Simmer the dish over low heat for 10 minutes, then add sour cream, leave to simmer for another 10 minutes.

Sprinkle ready-made mushrooms in sour cream with herbs, potatoes or rice are good as a side dish

Delicious cutlets from scaly tinder fungus

The resulting cutlets can be used as a separate dish or cooked separately as a side dish of potatoes.

Ingredients:

• onion – 1 pcs .;
• Garlic – 2-3 cloves;
• pestrets – 500 g;
• egg – 1 pcs .;
• bread – 50 g.

Mushrooms should be pre-boiled for 15-20 minutes, then chopped through a meat grinder twice until you get a “minced meat” of a uniform consistency.

Add chopped onion, garlic and bread to the scaly tinder fungus, mix everything. In the finished mixture, add the egg, salt and pepper. The finished mass should be pasty.

Pour oil into a frying pan, heat it thoroughly. Form cutlets from the mixture, roll them in breadcrumbs or cornmeal, fry until golden brown under the lid.

It is recommended to serve cutlets with salad, on top they can be decorated with herbs.

Preparation of pickled scaly tinder fungi

One way to give mushrooms a spicy flavor is to marinate them.

Ingredients:

• boiled pestle – 0,5 kg;
• apple cider vinegar 5% – 80 g;
• Garlic – 3 cloves;
• black pepper peas – 10 pcs .;
• Vegetable oil – 120 ml;
• salt – 1 tsp;
• bay leaf – 4 pcs .;
• sugar – 2 tsp

Prepare a frying pan, put garlic crushed through a press, chopped mushrooms and spices with oil and vinegar. Close the ingredients with a lid, simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer the finished dish to a jar, insist in the refrigerator for 4 hours.

Peppers stuffed with scaly tinder fungus

Initially, mushrooms and rice should be boiled in salted water. Grind the scaly tinder fungus through a meat grinder along with onions and carrots, add salt, pepper and cooked rice to the mixture.

Peppers should be washed, core and seeds removed. Stuff the vegetables with minced meat, place them in a cauldron and pour water over them. Simmer stuffed peppers for 20-25 minutes. 10 minutes before readiness, add tomato juice and chopped greens to the dish.

Stuffed peppers can be served with herbs

What can be prepared from scaly tinder fungus for the winter

If it is not possible to devote time to preparing mushrooms, then they can be stored for the winter by processing them in a certain way. There are 3 ways to create a blank, which will be discussed later.

Freezing

The scaly tinder fungus should be boiled for 15-20 minutes, then cooled and cut into pieces, blotted with a napkin to remove excess moisture. The product should be placed in disposable containers of 300-500 g, then transferred to the freezer.

Freezer bags can be used instead of disposable containers

Pickling

For salting tinder fungi, the following ingredients are needed:

• fruit bodies – 3 kg;
• salt – 120 g;
• dill umbrellas;
• black pepper – 35 pcs.;
• garlic – 5 denticles;
• laurel leaf – 6 pcs.

Boil the mushrooms and cool slightly. Laurel leaves, chopped garlic and dill umbrellas, pepper are placed in a container at the bottom. Mushrooms are placed on top of the spices in layers, sprinkling with salt. Cover the container with a napkin, place the load on top and leave in a dark place for 30 days.

Drying

Drying the pestles should be as follows:

• wash and dry the fruiting bodies;
• cut into pieces;
• string the mushrooms on a thread and hang them outside in the sun.

To avoid access of insects to scaly tinder fungi, they should be covered with gauze.

Limitations and contraindications

Fruiting bodies are forbidden to be used by women who are carrying a child, or mothers during lactation. Mushrooms or tinder preparations are not recommended for people prone to allergic reactions.

It is impossible to combine the main course of treatment with tinctures and decoctions of pestrets.

Is it possible to grow scaly tinder fungi at home

Cultivation of the fungus does not require much effort. To grow fruiting bodies, sawdust, tree bark or shavings should be prepared.

Growing stages:

1. Substrate pour boiling water and cool.
2. Squeeze the mixture and put it in a bag, add mycelium there.
3. Make ventilation holes in the bag, then take it to a room with a temperature of up to + 20 ° C and a humidity of 70-80%.
4. You can harvest in 30-40 days.

Subject to technology, the tinder fungus can be grown in the garden

It is allowed to use bars or hemp as a substrate. Incisions are made in them, and then the mycelium is placed there. So that it does not die, it is required to moisten it regularly.

Conclusion

The scaly tinder fungus is one of the edible varieties of fruiting bodies that grow everywhere. After processing, the crop can be used for cooking and stored for the winter. Healing properties are known tinctures from pestrets.