Although we would've preferred to be the one to stumble across this in the forest, instead we stumbled across it on swissmiss. Holy smokes, that mushroom is living large.
Matsutake mushrooms (Pine Mushroom) are known for having aphrodisiac properties, and for commanding prices and status in Japan similar to truffles here in the US and Europe. To prepare a Matsutake, slice off the stem (discard), wipe any dirt off the caps with a damp paper towel (never wash), and slice. These mushrooms are best sautéed or in a Japanese broth with sea vegetables.
We do not recommend eating them with cigarettes.
I've been told that most of the stem except the dirties bit at the end is edible. I've purchased these at Mitsuwa and ate most of the stem. Definitely edible. These are something I'll buy when they're on sale but don't seek out. Also nice when done in a rice cooker when cooking rice.
I've never tried cooking mushrooms with rice in the cooker - I can imagine that it would really work well. Thanks, I'm going to give it a try.
and,Sara Kate, I cracked up when I read the recomendation re: the cigs!
these might be more available in NYC soon
A Japanese company is building an indoor farm for matsutake upstate. Actually, some of the community they bought land in are fighting them - article in the NYT recently if you're interested.
Me, I'm excited
about a Japanese organic mushroom farm . . .