Author: Cyndie Story
Last saved by: michelle.armstrong
Company: Culinary Solution Centers, LLC

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
Vegetable Preparation Methods and Tips

Segment 31: Mushroom

Chef Cyndie: The mushroom is in the fungi family.  There are thousands of varieties of mushrooms, some even poisonous, so don’t go out in the woods to pick a few for your salad.  The type of mushroom widely used in school foodservice is known as the common mushroom.  Nutritionally, mushrooms are high in potassium and riboflavin.  Mushrooms are delicious eaten raw.  Select mushrooms that are firm and intact.  Be sure to avoid those that are wrinkled, spotted, or slimy.

To prepare, rinse your mushrooms first.  Now, mushrooms are like a sponge, so be sure to rinse them under running water very quickly or their flavors will become diluted by the water and they become soggy.

To remove the stem or not to remove the stem, that is the question.  That will be up to you.  It may be easier to slice the mushroom if the base of the stem has been removed so that the bottom is flat and sits nicely on your cutting board.

When slicing mushrooms for serving raw, they may turn brown after you cut them.  To reduce this, spray or immerse the mushrooms quickly with a mixture of one cup water to one teaspoon white vinegar or lemon juice.  When mushrooms turn brown and become slimy or moldy, they should be discarded.  Speaking of mold, mushrooms if stored in an airtight container may promote the growth of Clostridium botulinum, a potentially deadly bacteria.  So make sure to leave some room for air.

If you have a sectionizer, you may opt to slice your mushrooms using equipment.  To slice using a sectionizer, place the slicing blade into the unit, place the mushroom on the blades, and pull the handle down.  If you want mushroom quarters, replace the blade with the four wedger, place the mushroom on the blade and pull the handle down.

Depending on the amount of product you need, this task may be difficult and time consuming.  In some instances processing whole mushrooms may require a food processor to complete these tasks easily and quickly. See the segment titled Automated Food Processing Equipment for more information on slicing mushrooms.

Stop living in the dark; eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.