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B1Spanish·20 cards

Mushroom Picking in Spain

Go mushroom picking in a Spanish pine forest: permits, baskets, what's edible and getting your haul checked.

Autumn mushroom picking is hugely popular in Soria, Catalonia and the Basque Country, and many areas require a cheap permit from the council or regional government with a daily kilo limit. Pickers use wicker baskets and knives, and local mycology associations check baskets for poisonous species. The cards follow a weekend in the pine forests of Soria looking for níscalos.

Person picking mushrooms with a wicker basket in a forest setting.
Photo: Dalia Al-Refai on Pexels
  1. 1

    ¿Aquí se pueden coger setas?

    Are you allowed to pick mushrooms around here?

  2. 2

    Sí, pero hace falta un permiso.

    Yes, but you need a permit.

  3. 3

    Se saca por internet, en la web del ayuntamiento.

    You can get it online from the council website.

  4. 4

    Coge una cesta, no una bolsa de plástico.

    Take a basket, not a plastic bag.

  5. 5

    Así las esporas caen al suelo.

    That way the spores fall on the ground.

  6. 6

    ¿Llevas navaja?

    Have you got a penknife on you?

  7. 7

    Córtala por la base, no la arranques.

    Cut it at the base, don't pull it out.

  8. 8

    Mira, aquí debajo del pino hay un montón.

    Look, there's loads under this pine.

  9. 9

    ¿Estas se pueden comer?

    Can you eat these ones?

  10. 10

    Yo esa no la tocaría.

    I wouldn't touch that one.

  11. 11

    Se parece mucho a una venenosa.

    It looks a lot like a poisonous one.

  12. 12

    Si no estás seguro al cien por cien, déjala.

    If you're not a hundred percent sure, leave it.

  13. 13

    Es mejor enseñárselas a un experto.

    It's better to show them to an expert.

  14. 14

    En el pueblo hay una asociación micológica que las revisa.

    There's a mycology association in the village that checks them.

  15. 15

    Este año ha habido muchas setas porque ha llovido bastante.

    There are loads of mushrooms this year because it's rained quite a bit.

  16. 16

    No te alejes, que es fácil perderse.

    Don't wander off, it's easy to get lost.

  17. 17

    Aquí el móvil no tiene cobertura.

    My phone's got no signal here.

  18. 18

    ¿Cuántos kilos se pueden llevar?

    How many kilos are you allowed to take?

  19. 19

    Las hacemos a la plancha con ajo y perejil.

    We'll fry them on the griddle with garlic and parsley.

  20. 20

    Estoy molido.

    I'm shattered.