Came across these little gems after ripping up a beaver dam that was flooding an orchid bog. They were delicious.

Cinnabar Chanterelles (Cantharellus cinnabarinus) are exploding in area forests right now. They are smaller and have a more delicate flavor than musky golden chantarelles and hearty, woodsy morels. Their flavor is subtle and is easily overwhelmed by chives, so go especially easy when you sauté them. Makes for an attractive and delicious summer dish with pasta and a light, crisp white wine.

Like morels, this species is mycorrizhal, and so is difficult to cultivate outside of the wild. They prefer oaks and pine, especially where beds of moss are also found. Cinnabar chanterelles will remain dormant during dry years, but this wet June has produced large troops, some numbering in the hundreds. They’re very easy to identify, and are a great introduction for novice shroomers. Remember: always get a second and third id confirmation before eating! Pays to be safe.

Happy hunting–and bon apetit.

Judging from its mile-long roster of musicians, filmmakers, and participating record labels, the second installment of the Todd Pendu-curated NY Eye and Ear Fest promises to be an even greater fulfillment of December’s inaugural ambition: to create a giant, swarming, lovingly handpicked showcase of grassroots cultural production in New York, along with the like-minded organizations and businesses that help disseminate it to the public. Pendu’s vision of an all-ages biannual concert and record fair devoted exclusively to the joy of discovery — that of new and unusual musics, emerging visual artists, and even “new friends” [the Pendu Org website]–seems to have struck a resonant chord with the local DIY contingent, and beyond; since premiering last year at Vanishing Point, the festival has already doubled in size, duration, and physical wingspan.

On July 9th and 10th, Eye & Ear II will take over all three floors of the Knitting Factory for two days of non-stop musical action, including a video art installation and “7-hour continuous drone room” in the basement. Next up, the festivities will travel to the 92Y Tribeca Cultural and Community Center for a “free” record fair (admission, not records, though these will be cheaply priced), additional live performances, and the debut of Women of NYCinema, a new Pendu-coordinated film series. Day four brings the party back to Brooklyn, which obviously had to feature somewhere in this celebration of predominately Brooklyn-based artists, for a finale concert at Death By Audio in Williamsburg.

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