Sumars minnisvarði
Today, on my walk along the fjord, I found a memory guardian. It was a late-flowering forget-me-not, nestled among the rocks and mosses. Its delicate blue petals were a vibrant contrast against the grey surrounding of the rainy autumn day.
The Icelandic word for "memento" is "minnisvarði", which literally translates as "memory guardian". I love this word, because it so perfectly captures the essence of what a memento is. It is a compound word made up of the words "minni" (memory) and "varði" (guardian).
The forget-me-not is a particularly fitting symbol of Sumars minnisvarði, memory guardian of summer. Especially so now, as the snow forecast draws nearer. Autumn in Iceland is a short season, and I am making the most of it by searching for all the lost treasures and guardians of summer that I can find. I am savouring every moment of this autumnal bounty, knowing that it will soon be gone.
Later that day I took a shortcut home through the larch grove. As I walked , I noticed patches of slippery jack mushrooms growing at the base of many of the trees. I carefully picked a few of the smallest mushrooms, being careful not to disturb the mycelium. I then placed them gently in a kitchen cloth.
The rich, earthy smell of the mushrooms as I carried them home reminded me of the summers of my childhood, spent foraging in the woods with my father. When I arrived in my cabin, I immediately fried the mushrooms in butter and onion, savouring the aromas as they filled the kitchen. I then spread them on a piece of toast and topped them with a dollop of skyr.
The toast was absolutely delicious. The mushrooms were meaty and flavorful, and the skyr added a creamy richness that perfectly complemented the earthy flavours. It was the perfect autumn snack, probably the last of its kind before the winter came, but all the more cherished for it.
KITCHEN NOTES
Slippery Jack
on Toast
Slippery Jack mushrooms are a delicate and fleeting delight, best enjoyed fresh from the forest. If you're lucky enough to find them, fry them up that very day, or even hour, for a truly special treat. Otherwise, they'll quickly turn to something resembling golden slugs, and all their magic will be lost.
For this simple recipe, you will need:1 bunch of Slippery Jack mushrooms, cleaned and trimmed
1 onion, roughly sliced
4 tablespoons butter
2 slices of sourdough bread
Salt and pepper to taste
Tablespoon of skyr
Instructions:Melt the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat.
Add the mushrooms and onion to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are softened and the onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Toast the bread until golden brown.
To assemble, spread the mushrooms and onions on each slice of toast and top with a dollop of skyr.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
