Removing the Dirt from Morels?

[chuckinduck]

Is there a better way of removing dirt from morels? I can look past a little grit, but it puts my wife a little over the edge, so I'm trying to see if I'm doing something wrong. I usually cut the stems about 1/4" above where I cut them off in the woods once I get home to remove any dirt near the base of the mushroom. Then I cut the morels in half and rinse them gently in a collindar, to remove excess dirt and bugs, but no matter what, some of them still seem to hold dirt particles. Should I soak them, or rinse them longer? I've heard people say not to soak morels? THanks.

[Boardman Brookies]

It sounds like you are doing everything right. I can never get ALL the dirt out.

[Oldgrandman]

Is there a better way of removing dirt from morels? I can look past a little grit, but it puts my wife a little over the edge, so I'm trying to see if I'm doing something wrong. I usually cut the stems about 1/4" above where I cut them off in the woods once I get home to remove any dirt near the base of the mushroom. Then I cut the morels in half and rinse them gently in a collindar, to remove excess dirt and bugs, but no matter what, some of them still seem to hold dirt particles. Should I soak them, or rinse them longer? I've heard people say not to soak morels? THanks.

Asparagus gets a little gritty sometimes too, just take the bad with the good...If your gonna eat them right away a short soak to loosen up dirt and a rinse is OK. But I wouldn't soak em too long and I suggest you use purified water if your water is like the city water we have. I have a filter on mine so it doesn't mess with the flavor. But the cleaner you keep em in the field the better they clean up at home.