What the Heck are Ramps?
Ramps. Unless you’re from Southern Appalachia, the name probably conjures up highway interchanges, skateboarding, or accessibility for people in wheelchairs . Those who are familiar with wild ramps, though, will know that those manufactured images couldn’t be farther from the reality of this pungent plant.
Also known as spring onions, ramsons, wild leeks, wood leeks, and wild garlic, ramps are a member of the allium family, which includes garlic and onions. The perennial wild onion grows in early spring, and is a much sought after favorite of wild foragers.
They grow throughout the eastern half of the United States and Canada, and are popular in the local cuisine of many states and provinces.
Ramps are easy to distinguish from other wild onions by their broad, smooth, leaves, which are light green in color, sometimes with deep purple tints. The stalks appear similar to those of scallions, though ramps often widen at the root for a slightly more bulbous appearance. Both the stalks and leaves are edible.
Ramp festivals, to celebrate the return of the plant, are a common occurrence in southern Appalachia, where they are most abundant. Farther north, in Canada and New England, ramps are scarcer and have been commercially exploited to the point where they are now protected. In these areas, many of the ramps people eat are cultivated.
Like all onions, ramps are rich in vitamins A and C, selenium, and chromium. That makes them good for teeth, bones, eyesight, the immune system, the cardiovascular system. Ramps contain antioxidant properties that fight off harmful free radicals in the body.
Here are a few recipes to help you enjoy this wild spring delicacy:
Grilled Ramps and Asparagus
Ingredients:
20 ramps
1 bunch thin asparagus
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
Directions:
Prelight a grill. Trim and discard the root hairs from the ramps and the tough ends from the asparagus. Drizzle ramps and asparagus with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to evenly coat. Arrange ramps and asparagus on the grill in a single layer. Grill until hot and grill marks appear, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a platter and serve.
Pickled Ramps
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon coarse salt, plus more as needed
2 lb. ramps, cleaned, green leaves trimmed to 1? past white and red parts
1 cup white wine vinegar
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon. mustard seed
2 teaspoons mixed peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon caraway seed
1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
1/2 teaspoon cumin seed
1 bay leaf
Instructions:
Bring a 4-quart saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add ramps and cook until slightly tender, about 30 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, place ramps in an ice bath. Drain and place them in a sterilized 1-quart glass jar with airtight lid. Pour out the boiling water and combine 1 tablespoon salt, 1 cup water, vinegar, sugar, mustard seed, peppercorns, caraway seed, fennel seed, cumin seed, and bay leaf in the saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Pour mixture over the ramps and seal the jar. Let cool to room temperature and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Potato Ramp Skillet Soup
Ingredients:
6 slices bacon
4 cups chopped ramps, including leaves
4 to 5 cups diced red potatoes
3 tablespoons flour
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
In a large skillet, fry bacon until crispy, then set aside. Add ramps and potatoes to the skillet and fry on medium-low heat until ramps are tender. Sprinkle with flour and stir until the flour is absorbed. Stir in chicken broth and simmer until potatoes are tender. Stir in the cream and heat. Add salt and pepper to taste.
