Wild Ramps

One of the many things i was excited about going to Vermont was i knew the wild ramps were coming into season. Wild ramps are a wild leek, they are mostly found on the east coast and have been found as far south as Alabama. Wild ramps have a small white buld, rose pink stalks and broad green leaves. The odor of ramps is that of garlic and onions, this can be smelled just by walking through them in the forest. They are in season from late March to early July, but of course Mother Nature plays a huge role in there harvest.

I wanted to get some ramps while in Vermont. Being a native Vermonter, i have my spots to harvest ramps, fiddleheads, etc, however a good chef and or forager never tells. We got to the spot were i would always harvest ramps in the past and the hillside was covered with them right next to the stream. I picked ramps in sparatic spots and only taking a few at a time, replacing the dirt as i go, as not to disturb the enviroment in hopes of them coming back again next year. Renee got into the harvesting of ramps as well but only managed to pick four of them. We put them in a plastic bag with roots and all(they will last this way with some water for about a week in a refrigerator. Renee and I used them in potatoes we served at breakfast with my brother Mark and his wife Jade, we even but them in our scrambled eggs. They were very delicious, a mild sweet onion flavor, earthy and very fragrant. I have a bunch left and cannot wait to cook them up, a friend of mine posted pictures of them in rissoto, this i must try.