It’s Spring! Just a quick reminder… I love it! What’s not to love about the longer days, the greener scenery, the blue sky and brighter sunshine!? Add to all that the fact that fresh vegetables are becoming more available at local farmers markets… including RAMPS, it all gets me so giddy! I’m Ramped up!
I was only introduced to ramps about three years ago when I tasted them in a salad. They have the best flavor! Strong, or you can even call it a pungent, combination of garlic and onion! Two ingredients that are always a necessity when I’m cooking meals! And here, in a single vegetable, both flavors are delivered beautifully strong! I love that description because it’s exactly what I’m always striving to be “beautifully strong“. I just realized Ramp is my spirit vegetable! There is some fantastic information on ramps found at wildedible.com and at organicauthority.com Basically, ramps are wild leeks, whereas a leek is an allium vegetable, in the same family as onions, garlic, scallions and shallots, and thus contain similar nutritional values and health benefits! Perhaps even better! (All images below courtesy via Pinterest).
I’ve only been able to find ramps at local farmer’s markets; once I found them at Whole Foods. They are only available in early-mid Spring (now) and go fast! They naturally grow along the Appalachian Range, from Georgia to Maine! I live right along the Appalachian Mountains, just down the road from an entrance to the Appalachian Trail, so I was hoping I’d be able to find these easily. It took some looking, but I successfully located them for sale at a wonderful local Farmer’s Market called Blooming Hill Farm! I love this place! Everything is organic, the place is beautiful, so welcoming and they provide brunch with a seating area that felt like we were in a fairytale! So spring-like, lined with lilac trees and bordering a gently rolling water creek! Photos just below are from inside the market, keep reading and look below to find the outdoor oasis! It’s so fitting that I found ramps at this farm, it seems like exactly the place they’d grow and flourish! Ramps are definitely my spirit vegetable!
So I got my ramps! I couldn’t resist packing a basket full of farm fresh fruit and vegetables as well! So excited!
The strawberries were gone in about five minutes after this photo was taken. Farm fresh eggs, fresh organic kale, arugula, spinach, potatoes, garlic, apples, avocado, rosemary and oregano, onions and of course, ramps!
I’ve made some good meals! A few examples here, sauteed ramps with the eggs for a healthy start to the day!
Roasted them in the oven, where they took on a sweeter taste than when they’re sauteed!
And I made the best Spring Ramp Dressing! I explain how to make it in a separate blog here! Garlicky good!
A green salad complete with organic nutrients and plant protein!
Below are some photos from the farm that I was mentioning at the beginning of the blog. If you’re ever in this area on the weekends, I highly suggest you stop by for a visit! Blooming Hill Farm My friend Ashley suggested it to me when I asked her who would have ramps! She’s an expert when it comes to organic natural living and she was right! They had them and so much more! You have to stop by only on the weekends as it’s only open Saturday and Sunday 10-2. Pick up some organic produce, homemade bread, order some brunch and enjoy the peacfull setting outdoors! I ordered a salad with eggs while the kids had a great sourdough crust pizza! The kids loved the cats, spent most the time looking for bugs, critters and animals and did find a salamander! The owner and staff were so incredibly nice! We’re all going back this weekend for more organic produce and Mothers Day Brunch! Nutritiously well-fed and enjoying this organically outdoor-oasis well-defined!
