Today, we’re talking ramps. And no, we don’t mean the skateboarding kind. We mean those wild, springtime sprigs of green with a small white bulb at the bottom. What may be mistaken for another spring onion or leek, is actually a burst of garlic-flavored goodness. While you may not know how to incorporate these little treats into your own recipes, we have 5 recipes that are an excellent starting point. From these recipes you can learn how ramps interact with other ingredients and even create ramp variations and butters that are perfect add-ons to your everyday meals.
Pickled Ramps
The bite of ramps can be a little too much if eaten raw or on their own. However, pickling is a way to cut any bitterness, tone down the garlic-taste, and expand the overall flavor. Try your Pickled Ramps on any salads, sandwiches, or even atop fingerling potatoes like Chef Tom Shuttlesworth recommends.
Garlic Knots
With the garlic power of ramps, it’s no question that they make a great addition to Garlic Knots. A delectable ramp butter coats the tops of these soft, pillowy beds of bread. You can choose to make your knots from scratch or purchase a pack from the grocery store to make things even simpler. Plus, the ramp butter will freeze well for an addition to your next dinner.
Kohlrabi Flan
If you’re conflicted on trying ramps for the first time, this Kohlrabi Flan recipe is the one for you. Ramps are not the main aspect of this dish but complete the flavor surrounding the Kohlrabi Flan. It combines ramps with dandelions, mushrooms, radishes, and other greens to make a complimentary salad.
Spaghetti with Ramps, Chiles & Two Cheeses from Food & Wine
For your next dinner, try Spaghetti with Ramps, Chiles, and Two Cheese from Food & Wine for a hearty meal full of textures and tastes. The heat from the chiles and garlic from the ramps balance each other out so one doesn’t take over the entire flavor. Pecorino Romano cheese and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese round out the dish for a dinner the whole family will love.
Ramp Chimichurri from A Couple Cooks
Make your chimichurri extra garlicky with a Ramp Chimichurri from A Couple Cooks instead. This green, smooth sauce is usually used in Latin America dishes. This version uses just ramps, olive oil, and red wine vinegar since the ramps supply the leaves/greens you need. You can really serve chimichurri with anything. Spread it on steaks, fish, grilled vegetables, tacos, eggs, whatever your heart desires.
Story by Kylie Thomas
Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.