Cantarello

This mushroom is also known as galletto, gallinaccio, gialletto, cantarello, finferlo, margherita and garitula in Italy, and girolie in French. The fact that almost every region in Italy has a different name for this fungus shows how popular it is. It is, however, equally highly appreciated all over the world. Like the porcino, the chanterelle is available during the summer and autumn from most specialist food shops, although at quite a high price. As well as its subtle flavour, the chanterelle is also popular because of its pretty bright yellow-to-apricot colour, its size, attractive shape and firm, chunky texture. It looks like a funnel with an irregularly shaped cap, its fairly loose gills running down on to the short stem which is just a few centimetres high. It is quite abundant, growing in large groups on mossy ground in dank woodland.