R&R Cultivation (New Hope, MN)
Available at Selby and West 7th.
Friends Nick Robinson and Lance Ramm co-founded R&R Cultivation in 2018. They grew their first mushrooms in Nick’s basement and, within two short years, took R&R Cultivation from a small, home operation to a full-scale urban farm. Their fresh mushrooms are 100% USDA-certified organic, sustainably produced, and cultivated with love.
Northwood Mushrooms (Clayton, WI.)
Available at all three stores. Selection may vary.
Jeremy and Aimee McAdams started their first mushroom logs in their side yard in Minneapolis in 2009. Today, their Wisconsin mushroom farm organically grows a variety of mushrooms on logs sustainably harvested from the woods; in-ground in raised beds; or indoors on blocks.
Try these varieties from our local vendors the next time you shop:
SHIITAKE
The shiitake is a mushroom powerhouse with its versatility and delicious umami flavor. Its texture ranges from delicate to meaty to crisp, depending on the preparation. Shiitakes are commonly enjoyed stuffed and baked or in stir-fries, soups and noodle dishes. Chop them up, sauté in butter, and toss in your favorite dish as it’s cooking, or crisp the caps up whole for a savory snack!
LION'S MANE
This fuzzy-looking mushroom has a savory and slightly sweet flavor. When cooked, the fibers of the mushroom become very similar to the texture of meat, which makes lion’s mane a wonderful meat substitute in many dishes. When sautéed with a bit of oil or butter, lion’s mane transforms into the succulent texture of crab or lobster. Make into “crab” cakes or add to pasta or rice.
OYSTER
With a delicate taste and texture and quick prep time, oysters are one of the most versatile mushrooms. They’re often used as a vegan meat substitute in tacos, stir-fries and “seafood” dishes, and are also lovely in risottos, pastas and pizzas. If you’re preparing a dish that requires a long cooking time, be sure to add the mushrooms in the last stage of cooking; their thin cap cooks quickly.
CHESTNUT
(Northwood only. Photo from Northwood Mushrooms.)
Chestnut mushrooms have a firm texture and a rich, nutty, mildly sweet flavor. They get a nice crunchiness when sautéed — so sauté them up and add to pasta, polenta, cream-based soups, omelets or mushroom bruschetta.