Wild Desert Truffles: The Earth...s Meat

Known for its incomparable taste in the culinary arts of the Highlands (Hauts plateaux) and in the South, the wild desert truffle, better known as the Algerian ...Terfess... raises at the beginning of spring, an unprecedented popularity among many young people of Ghardaïa in search of income and who are then nicknamed ...the truffle hunters....

• The high autumn rainfall in the area promoted the regeneration of vegetation and the appearance of truffles, which attracts every day many people in search of the tuber to garnish popular family dishes in the Valley of the M’zab.
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  They are hundreds of men, women, and young who enjoy the mild spring to pick up this enchanting truffle.
  
  Its essence with rich scents, its nutritional and aphrodisiac powers justifies the rush of these people. Having a truffle between your hands is as if we have a rare jewel you are proud to possess, say young people met along the national road N ° 1 and the RN 49 between Ghardaia and Ouargla.
  
  No need for qualification, it is said to be ‘Terfess hunter’. Just have a spade, a piece of iron or wood suitable and not reluctant to search tirelessly in rocky areas (H'madas) Ghardaïa truffles area, to find this wild underground mushroom.
  
  The Earth’s Meat
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  In addition to the gain that could be earned, it is also an occupation and a distraction. We try to fill the empty time, repeated the young in general, and pleased with the benefits provided to agriculture by the heavy rains of autumn and early winter, but pained by the casualties and damage in the region by the weather. Going home with truffles is like bringing home meat, commented a truffle collector, satisfied with his harvest in what is called here ‘the Earth’s meat and especially the income it derives, which is profitable for the unemployed people of the region.
  
  Ennaharonline/ M. Oudina