Yes, Ramps ARE yummy (and expensive) but this is why…
I have fallen in love with ramps. It is funny as there are tons of articles telling us that foodies need to get over the ramp craze or that ramps are not all that but the reality is that if someone has to tell you to get over something, odds are they are pretty darn good. They are wonderful and as a foodie, I don’t plan on getting over them any time soon… They are a wild leek and while I love leeks, green onions and all things that LOOK like ramps, none of them are ramps. I decided that since they are hard to find (you have to go to stores like Specialty Produce) and they seem to only be available for a short period of time, that I would plant them. Why not-my mom forced me to garden my whole childhood and I can grow things like the best of the local farmer types. Come to find out, it takes ramps up to one year to germinate from seeds AND then 7-10 years before they are large enough to eat. I am now, not going to grow ramps but am going to be very, very, very appreciative when I can find them at the store. Should you be so lucky as to find and cook them, I used a wok with a little oil, put the bulb in on high until chared and then threw in the green part for a few seconds. Salt and pepper and enjoy!
Want to learn more?
Ramps: How to Forage and Eat While Leeks
