The enoki mushroom, also called the velvet shank, has long, slender white stems, with tiny caps. Wild and cultivated enoki mushrooms grow in small clusters on live or dead tree trunks. Cultivated enoki mushrooms are paler in color than wild enoki mushrooms. These mushrooms have a mild, delicate flavor, and are used extensively in Asian cooking.
Before using enoki mushrooms, rinse them thoroughly and trim off the roots at the base of the cluster. Enoki mushrooms can be eaten raw or cooked. Add them to salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta sauces, and stir-fried rice and vegetable dishes. To retain the delicate flavor of the mushrooms, add them at the end of the cooking process.
Health benefits and
concerns for vegetables
Many health benefits and concerns associated with this food are applicable to other
vegetables. Read about health benefits and
concerns for vegetables for a full description.