Happy Spring! I received five pounds of dirty ramps last week and I couldn't be happier! Ramps are an ultimate springtime treat.
I have found that ramps keep better if they are not cleaned until ready to consume. Below are a few that I just prepared for tonight's dinner.
I have been eating wild onions and garlic for many years but had never heard of ramps until three years ago. A friend that lived next to a river out in the country invited about twenty people for a ramp brunch as she had just gathered enough fresh ramps to share. I was extremely curious. She had a couple of ramps in a glass on her kitchen counter.
Diana served her ramps by first sauteing them with mushrooms and then cooking them in an egg dish. I didn't get a photograph of the finished dish.
I was so impressed by the ramps that Diana gave me a few to plant. First I had to get them away from one of her cats.
I planted the ramps but they didn't survive. Soon after I was in an organic restaurant in Hudson, New York where ramps were being served in various dishes and the whole place was in a buzz about them.
And then there were no more ramps for me until this spring - three years later. I had always kept an eye out for them at vegetable stands, farmers markets, health and organic stores and even Whole Foods but never saw them. They were never listed on restaurant menus either.
I got a kick out of this article at Huffington Post and you should check it out for some beautiful photographs of dishes with ramps
Ramps Are Here! Stop Freaking Out And Go Make These Recipes
If you've ever walked through the farmer's market in the spring, you've experienced throngs of people freaking out over the arrival of ramps. They're not hard to miss, as they have a very unique -- or shall we say pungent -- aroma that's a cross between garlic and leeks. Some people confuse ramps for leeks, but this coveted spring gem is even greater than a leek. It's a perennial wild onion that has to be foraged. Therefore, it's in high demand. What we're basically trying to tell you is: if you see ramps, grab them. They'll be gone before you know it.
Here are some wonderful links for ramp recipes
https://www.google.com/...
My household has now had ramps four nights in a row. I failed to get a photograph of the mussels with ramps dish or the quiche with ramps. I did get a photograph below of a ramps and mushrooms side dish served with homemade pork, rice and pinto bean burritos.
Last night we had a paleo type dish with shrimps, scallops, fish, sausage and lots of ramps. It was so delicious with a nice white wine that seconds were had by all and if there hadn't been a dessert, I am sure a third helping would have been had.
So you might be thinking "Okay, Missy's Brother, where did you get your ramps this year?" "What's your secret source?" I was digging up some wild onions in my backyard last week when I remembered ramps. When I got back inside I googled ~ramps for sale~ and bingo! After studying various sellers, I went with a guy in West Virginia who digs them up and has them to you in two days. I did share a few of mine with two others. Last night when I went back to order more, he had gone up $8 in his price. Not sure if that was because they were so popular or it's quickly becoming the end of the season. Regardless, five pounds from him including two day shipping is $20 something. He also kicks in extra because he says his ramps are dirty. If you want clean pretty ones that spoil quickly from other sellers then it is $18.95 a pound. I'll go with the dirty ones.