What is Ramp?

food/definitions/ramp

What is Ramp?

Ramps have been seen at farmers markets. What are they and how are they used?

The ramp, (also known as wild leek, wild garlic, or ramson) is a member of the onion family that sprouts in early spring in woodlands of Canada, North Carolina, Missouri, and Minnesota. The bulb of the vegetable looks a little like scallion, but the leaves are flatter and broader, closely resembling those of the lily of the valley. Both bulb and leaves can be used raw or cooked in applications that call for onions, leeks, or scallions. To prepare ramps, trim off the roots and remove any loose or discolored skin that clings to the bulbs, then rinse well.

Ramps were sautéed in butter and tossed with pasta and some were pickled in a simple vinegar mixture. Tasters described the flavor as slightly more pungent than the more familiar alliums, with hints of garlic and chive. They found the raw leaves slightly grassy, reminiscent of a mild jalapeño.