Ramp Pesto

If you are lucky enough to have a way to get your hands on some Ramps, this Wild Ramp Pesto is a favorite of ours.  This recipe is just a starting point. I always adjust it depending on my mood, and ingredients on hand. 

This is great added to pasta, or any other dish you would use with a pesto. 

I often freeze the pesto in small portion sizes so I can pull some out during the off season and enjoy it in a dish.

Wild Ramp Pesto

1/4 cup, plus 2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided

8 ounces ramps ( I only use the greens)

1/2 tsp lemon zest

1 Tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup grated parmesan

1/2 tsp salt

In large skillet heat 2 Tablespoon olive oil. Add ramps, and saute until just wilted. Set aside to cool.

Add cooled ramps and remaining ingredients to food processor. Puree until almost smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Store covered in refrigerator or freeze.

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Ramps (AKA Wild Leeks)

In the past spring time hunting in the woods meant morel season to me.That changed last year when a friend introduced me to Ramps. In Wiscosnin, these lovely greens are harvested in the spring. They have a lovely garlicy onion flavor. This year the season started in late April, but of course, would vary depending on temperatures.

We have yet to find Ramps on our farm, but my friend has had me over to pick them on his farm this season, and last.  

We had to head way back, past old cow pastures.

We reached a hillside that was covered in a carpet of Ramps! 

This particular hillside was covered. The plant is strikingly similar to Lily of the Valley

You will get hungry while you are picking the leaves. The smell is intoxicating.

For most food dishes, you only need to harvest the leaves. So, we pick one leaf off near the base. Leaving one leaf to let the plant continue to live.

We did harvest a small amount of the whole plant, bulb and leaf. The bulb is very flavorful as well.

Winston accompanied us on our hunting expedition. Isn't he cute?

If you would like to know more about Ramps, try some of these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allium_tricoccum

http://www.wildedible.com/wild-food-guide/ramps

http://theforagerpress.com/fieldguide/aprilfd.htm

More posts to come on preparing Ramps.

Tell me, have you heard of Ramps or Wild Leeks before? Do you know them by another name?

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