Central New York’s Mushroom Stew

Everybody's always talking about Mohawk Valley favorites Chicken Riggies, Half-moons, and Utica Greens, but what about the Stew? There are a few dishes my Central New York family cannot live without but topping the list is probably Mushroom Stew. When I was a kid I remember my grandmother telling me that she and gramps were going out for dinner to enjoy fungi in a dish. The thought of eating this barbaric meal didn't appeal to me in the least. I thought to myself "People actually pay to eat mushrooms?!!"

Back in the day Italian immigrants gathered wild mushrooms as an ingredient to make their meat dishes stretch a little further. I know what you're thinking?  "Who was the first brave person to try eating this withering woe?"

It wasn't til my 13th birthday in Bridgewater that I mustered up enough courage to try ingesting this blot on the landscape. My Aunt brought us out a vegetable platter and I decided to dip one of these speckled shrooms in some blue cheese dressing. It was terrible! I told myself I was never ever eating another mushroom! Until!................

Last night I smelled something delicious coming from my Aunt's Kitchen. I asked her what it was and sure enough..........yup Mushroom Stew.  I thought "gee thanks for raining on my parade." She offered me a tablespoon full and I refused. Next she offered me a teaspoon full and I reluctantly accepted. I found it quite tasty and from there on out it was mushroom mania! I downed three bowls of the stuff. It was delicious!

If you've been a mushroom hater your entire life I encourage you to venture out and try some today. In some local restaurants, it’s still served the old fashioned way on slices of soft Italian bread or on some form of macaroni.   You can also eat it straight out of the bowl with bread on the side. Central New York winters can be brutal and this is the perfect cold weather comfort food!

Click the purple box for a recipe!