Funghi
Hedgehog Mushroom
Hedgehog mushroom (Hydnum repandum and allies) bears spines under the cap instead of gills or pores. Flavour is mild, nutty, and slightly peppery; texture stays firm without the sliminess of some wild mushrooms. A forgiving forager's fungus with few dangerous lookalikes. Excellent sautéed in butter or mixed with other autumn wild mushrooms.
Also known as: Pied-de-mouton, Wood Hedgehog, Hedgehog / Sweet Tooth, Lengua de vaca
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Breeds, cuts & preparations
Variety
Hydnum albidumHydnum repandumHydnum rufescensHydnum umbilicatumPied-de-moutonSweet ToothTerracotta HedgehogWhite HedgehogWood Hedgehog
Source
Indoor FarmedOutdoor FarmedWild
Provenance
BiodynamicForagedLocally GrownLog GrownOrganicPesticide FreeSeasonalSingle OriginSubstrate GrownWild Harvested
Preparation
BoiledCannedChilledChoppedDicedDriedFermentedFreeze DriedFreshFrozenGrilledHalvedMincedPickledPowderPreservedRoastedSaltedSautéedSlicedSmokedSteamedStuffedTornWhole
CommonCharacteristic
CleanDelicateEarthyFirmMildNuttyPepperySweet
History
European foragers collected spine fungi as reliable mild wild mushrooms.
FR
French cookery recorded pied-de-mouton as a market wild mushroom.
Field guides highlighted hedgehog mushrooms as beginner-friendly edibles.
Specialty wild mushroom trade included hedgehogs alongside chanterelles in autumn mixes.