I have to admit it, autumn is my favourite season. The first nip in the air, the changing colour and the abundance of free edible goods is just too good an opportunity to pass up on. I have been mushrooming since I was a child, but I still am very cautious about which types of mushrooms I pick. If you are not sure whether the mushroom you picked is edible or highly poisonous, you can go to the nature museum to have your mushrooms checked (Mondays from 17.00 to 18.30).
This being Switzerland there are rules and regulations around mushroom picking and, of course, they are different from canton to canton.
Luzern: You are not allowed to pick during the first 7 days of the month. You can only pick a maximum of 2 kilos perperson of which only 500 grams can be morelles or chanterelles.
Schwyz: A maximum of 2 kilos but only 1 kilo of morelles.
Uri: Maximum of 3 kilos but only 500 grs of morelles and 2 kilos of chanterelles.
Obwalden: Maximum of 2 kilos per person and only 500 grs of morelles. No picking during the first 7 days of the month.
Nidwalden: Maximum of 1 kilo per person.
Zug: No rules!
Zürich: No picking of mushrooms during the first 10 days of the month and not more than 1 kilo perperson.
For the absolute enthusiast there are local truffles to be found on the Pilatus mountains, and by the way you can train any dog to find them!
Be sure to cut the mushrooms and leave the foot in the ground. Store your collected mushrooms in an open basket or paper bags but never in a plastic bag.
There are 2 organisations where you can learn more about your mushroom picking: www.vsvp.com and www.vapko.ch
Good pickings!
