After the rain, mushrooms had absorbed moisture underground and were sprouting in clusters.
There were many pickers, scattered here and there, chatting with people they knew and hurriedly picking on their own if they didn't.
Fungi are highly nutritious, whether fresh or dried, making them an excellent food choice.
In the north, they are often used to stew meat, such as the classic dish, chicken stewed with mushrooms. The moment the pot is opened, the aroma is so enticing that it makes one's mouth water.
Unfortunately, if you wanted to cook this dish now, you first needed chicken!
Without chicken, one had to settle for less and stew potatoes and cabbage instead; after all, such versatile ingredients can turn into a feast in the hands of someone skilled no matter what.