The sixth-annual Oregon Truffle Festival celebrates everyone’s favorite fungus, which flourishes right here in the U.S. of A. From the festival website: “Created to celebrate the magnificent Oregon truffles as they reach the peak of ripeness in their native soil, it is the first festival of its kind in North America, dedicated to sharing the experience of the chefs, foragers and fans of Oregon’s wild truffles, from their hidden source in the forest to their glory on the table.” The festival includes a truffle dog training seminar, cooking classes, and the Grand Truffle Dinner.

When: January 28–30, 2011

Where: In and around Eugene, OR

For tickets and as schedule, visit oregontrufflefestival.com.

over romaine greens.  I wonder
at the pleasure these pungent fungi

bring — gold in a chef’s pan.
White truffle oil, my preference,

more peppery than the black.
Makes sense — being part Sicilian —

that the robust Italian whites
appeal more than the tamer ebon

French ones.  All sub rosa
root-clinging symbiotic

fruiting tubers — a cabal
of crafty warty walnuts.

Beware the poisonous
false ones.  A bit of truffle Read on… »