mushroom foraging and drying mushrooms

From about the end of Septeember to mid November you can find a variety of mushrooms in the fields in France. Here in the South they are less abundant due to the drier climate however it is still possible to find them.
Sites are usually a  closely guarded secret especially when it is the more rare variety.Cepes are a treasure find.
However caution....there have been over 150 deaths in the last year from those thinking they have correctly identified their mushrooms and as foraging has become such a popular pasttime more people are putting themselves at risk.
Its all too tempting to pick a crop that you come across......and theres no harm in picking them but make sure you have them identified correctly.  before eating them,Even if one looks similar to one you previously identified. In France take them to a local chemist.
Do not rely on your comparison to a book...you really need to be an expert to do that..no matter what some sites may tell you.
As well as the danger of eating the wrong types of mushrooms there is also the problem that some foragers are just not respecting nature.
Overpicking will mean they will not grow so well the next year.
Cutting and colleting in the wrong way will also damage the plant...spores need to be able to float free after picking.
We are staying the week in the Auvergne region and there is such a variety of mushrooms here...due to the amount of rain they get!!!!
It really pains me to leave some of these mushrooms but I would not risk it especially as I do not have access to a pharmacy out here in the sticks. Yesterday I was convinced that the beautiful little white mushrooms growing on the lawn could not possibly be poisonous. They smelt and looked lovely.
However on researching them they turned out to be Fools funnel...also known as the sweating mushroom as it causes sweating dizziness and occasionally death. A narrow escape!!
Play safe and buy mushrooms in bulk at the market while they are cheap and dry them. Its so easy and they keep forever!!!!

HOW TO DRY MUSHROOMS

Clean the mushrooms with a soft cloth or kitchen paper.
Slice thinly and lay out flat on a baking tray.
Cook for one hour in an oven of 150degrees
Take them out and turn them over.Dab with kitchen roll to get rid of any moisture. Cook for another hour.
The mushrooms are ready when they crack like crisps. If they are not ready just repeat the above process.
Once dried put them in sealable jar and check reguarly that they are not getting any moisture in.
To use simply add to soups and casseroles. You can also immerse then in warm water to rehydrate them.
This will give you a good supply to use when mushroom prices are high!