What Are Ramps, and How Do You Cook With Them?

Certain foods have an extremely short season, and you must hurry to enjoy them. Think about Christmas cookies - you only really appreciate them around Christmas time. It would be strange to have them during the summer. They have a short season, as it were. Same with ramps. They can only be found from late March to early May, so if you’re keen on adding them to your meal plan, you might want to act fast!

Although they can easily be confused with scallions and green onions, ramps are unique all on their own and are called a harbinger of spring. They're native to the North American region and usually thrive in more shady areas. They are more pungent than garlic and can be quite pungy if eaten raw, but cooking them softens the flavor. They are very safe to eat - root to stem - and are a source of vitamin K, vitamin C, beta carotene, and a sulfurous compound that might lower your cholesterol level and even help reduce the risk of some cancers. They're a healthy and delicious choice for the kitchen!

Many may chew on raw ramps or process them using heat, as there are many ways to enjoy the greens. You can chop them up into soups, stews, or sauces. You can even add them to bread stuffing. People can even blitz some into melted butter and make a sort of garlic-type mixture to pour over a steak, or chop them up and put them in pesto. The combinations are endless!

Since the greens take seven years to grow and news has spread about their delicious taste and health benefits, they are more difficult to find. However, they still grow wild and can be found in many places if you look for them. Experts recommend leaving the bulb in the ground so there's a chance for a new plant to grow the following year. You can ask a local guide to help you look. You should always choose those that are fresh and vibrant, as they hold the best taste.

The greens can usually last up to a week if you put them in the refrigerator, but they are best enjoyed within three or four days. That's when they're most fresh and pack the best taste. However, you can also freeze them to extend their life exponentially. They can last up to three months in a ziplock bag in the freezer.