King tuber mushroom (sclerotium)

Pleurotus tuber-regium

mushroom

A large brown underground ball, peeled and grated, which thickens and flavors Nigerian soups, egusi or ogbono.

Origin

West Africa (Nigeria), tropical Asia and Australia

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

The sclerotium is peeled of its brown crust, then the white flesh is grated or pounded and cooked in the soup.

Molecules

Mushroom beta-glucansIn small amounts, not counted Ergothioneine

Did you know?

The sclerotium, as big as a melon, keeps for months; placed in water, it produces mushrooms again.