Shroom Hunting in Sweden

by Nicha Jones

Living in Sweden for a few months opened up a door of possibilities and exposed me to places I could only dream of. Within the first month, friends invited my boyfriend and me to their country home outside of Stockholm. We of course accepted without hesitation. 

We took the bus from Stockholm and made one transfer less than an hour away at Norrtalje stop. The landscape during the fall is stunning, with pops of canary yellow, orange, and electric pink during sunset. Upon arrival, we walked alongside the main road until we reached the cabins. On the back patio was a sweeping view of a massive lake, lined with trees. 

Since it was still early when we arrived, our friend’s mother suggested we go to the forest across the street and forage for wild chanterelle mushrooms. This was quite evidently a part of the Swedes’ way of life, as the culinary scene definitely reflects the sustainability of the land. So, we grabbed a few bags, bringing a small knife for protection against the wild boars, and set out for an afternoon adventure. 

As we crossed the road and made our way through the forest, we scoured the forest bed for any the wild mushrooms. The veterans of the group spotted them before I did of course, and gathered a hefty amount as the sun began to set. On our way back to the cabins, I spotted a big fungi and asked if it was edible. I later found out that I had picked the biggest chanterelle of the day! 

When we got back to the cabin, we began to prepare our newfound goodies for dinner. We brushed off the excess dirt and laid them out on newspaper to dry. After waiting awhile, everyone prepped the mushrooms for stew. I was presented with my own pieces of toast to eat the mushrooms I had personally foraged myself. It was the perfect evening spent feasting on elk, local greens, and root vegetables while enjoying the last of our country adventure for the fall. Just one of the many reasons why I love Sweden so.