8 Mouth-Watering Recipes For West Virginia Ramps That'll Make You So Hungry (2024)

West VirginiaNature

By Rachel Price

|Published April 29, 2015

×8 Mouth-Watering Recipes For West Virginia Ramps That'll Make You So Hungry (1)

Rachel Price

Author

A West Virginia girl. A fiancée. A writer. A mother to one. A daughter. A sister to four. A book worm.

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It is finally ramp season here in these West Virginia mountains. I always know that it’s time when I pass people selling ramps on my way home.Not only that, the Richwood Ramp Festival was just a couple of weeks ago. Richwood is known as the Ramp Capital of the World.

Check out these 8absolutely delectable ramp recipes!

8 Mouth-Watering Recipes For West Virginia Ramps That'll Make You So Hungry (2)

Ingredients:6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped1 cup ramps, white parts and leaves, chopped 2-3 medium size potatoes, peeled and chopped5 large eggssalt, pepper, and chives shredded cheese Cook bacon in a large frying pan, remove, drain, and chop it up, then set aside. Using the same pan with the bacon grease, fry ramps and potatoes over low heat, covered, until the potatoes are soft. Crack the eggs over the ramps and potatoes mixture and fry, covered, until the eggs are done to however you like them. Sprinkle on some shredded Cheddar. Season with salt, pepper, and chives to taste. Serve immediately and top with the chopped bacon.

8 Mouth-Watering Recipes For West Virginia Ramps That'll Make You So Hungry (3)

Ingredients: 3 beaten eggs4-5 diced 1/2 inch potatoes6-8 ramp onions1/2 lb pork sausage1/2 cup of American cheese1/2 teaspoon of salt1/2 cup of milkCook potatoes in pan of water until tender and soft. Steam the ramps over potatoes using metal strainer for 2 -3 minutes; chop ramps. Drain the potatoes and add the chopped ramps. In a skillet, fry the sausage and drain. Combine this with the potatoes, add eggs, cheese, salt and milk. Mix together in a baking dish and bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

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8 Mouth-Watering Recipes For West Virginia Ramps That'll Make You So Hungry (4)

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon active dry yeast1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided1/2 cup semolina flour2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon sea salt1/2 teaspoon baking soda1 bunch ramps (just under 1/3 lb)10 tablespoons unsalted butter, 8 TBS very cold and cubed; 2 TBS melted8 tablespoons all-vegetable shortening In a small bowl, combine yeast, sugar, and 4 tablespoons of the all-purpose flour. Add buttermilk and whisk to combine. Cover the bowl and let set for about 30 minutes, there will be slight foaming. Wash and dry the ramps. Coarsely chop white and light green parts and mince about 2 tablespoons of the leaves. With a mixer, combine remaining flours, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and chopped ramps. Add butter and shortening and mix on medium-high until pebbly-looking. Form a well in the middle of the mixture and pour in the yeast mixture. Mix gently by hand until just combined. The dough should be kinda sticky. Using your hands with some flour on them, turn the dough out onto floured surface and knead gently just until it starts to have a little spring. Form dough into a ball and squish into a disc about 3/4 inch thick. Cut out circles using a biscuit cutter or, if you don’t have one, a regular glass works too. Brush the biscuits with melted butter and let set, uncovered, for about an hour. Preheat oven to 400 F. Place biscuits about an inch apart on baking sheets with wax paper on them and bake for about 18-20 minutes, or until browned, rotating the baking pans halfway through.

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8 Mouth-Watering Recipes For West Virginia Ramps That'll Make You So Hungry (5)

Ingredients:1 pound ramps, carefully washed, ends trimmed1 1/2 cups white wine vinegar or rice vinegar1 1/2 cups water1 1/2 cups sugar1/4 cup salt3 bay leaves1 tablespoon yellow or black mustard seed6 allspice berries1 pinch red pepper flakesCarefully put ramps into a clean quart-sized mason jar with a screw-top lid. Combine the remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and bring them to a boil, whisking until sugar and salt are dissolved. Pour hot brine over ramps, only enough to fill the jar and then get rid of the extra. Screw on the lid and allow to cool at room temperature. Move it to refrigerator and allow to set for at least 3 weeks and up to a year before eating.

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8 Mouth-Watering Recipes For West Virginia Ramps That'll Make You So Hungry (9)

Ingredients:Dough: 1 cup all-purpose flour1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon sugar1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm waterTopping:10 rampsExtra-virgin olive oil, for brushing1 cup coarsely grated fresh mozzarella cheese (4 oz)Salt and freshly ground black pepper1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeseIn a large bowl, whisk the flour together with the yeast, salt and sugar. Pour in the water and stir to form a dough. Scrape the dough out onto a lightly floured countertop and knead for a few minutes until smooth. Move the pizza dough to a lightly oiled large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp paper towel and let stand in a warm place, like a microwave, until the pizza dough has doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.Set a pizza stone on the bottom or on the bottom shelf of the oven and preheat to 500° for at least 30 minutes. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Blanch the ramps until they are bright green, about 1 minute. Drain, pat dry and cut into 1-inch lengths.Punch down the pizza dough and transfer it to a lightly floured coutertop. Roll out the dough to a 12-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured pizza pan or a baking sheet. Brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle on the grated mozzarella. Sprinkle the blanched ramps over the mozzarella and season lightly with salt and pepper. Top the pizza with the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.Slide the pizza from the pizza pan onto the hot pizza stone. Bake for about 8 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the pizza crust is browned and crisp on the bottom. Move the pizza to a cutting board, serve immediately!

8 Mouth-Watering Recipes For West Virginia Ramps That'll Make You So Hungry (10)

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter1/2 pound hot Italian sausages, with the casing removed12 ramps; bulbs and slender stems sliced, green tops thinly sliced1 cup arborio rice1/2 cup dry vermouth3 cups low-salt chicken broth1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, with some extra for toppingMelt the butter in large saucepan over medium heat and then add the sausage. Cook until no longer pink, and break it up as you go, for about 5 minutes. Add the sliced ramp bulbs and stems. Sautee until almost tender, for about 2 minutes. Add the rice and stir for about 1 minute. Add vermouth. Simmer until liquid is absorbed, for about 1 minute. Add 3 cups chicken broth, 1 cup at a time, simmering until almost absorbed before adding the next cup and stirring consistently. Continue cooking until rice is just tender and risotto is creamy, adding more broth if dry and stirring often, for about 18 to 20 minutes. Mix in green leafy tops and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Season risotto to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately!

8 Mouth-Watering Recipes For West Virginia Ramps That'll Make You So Hungry (11)

Ingredients:Coarse salt1 pound dry spaghetti3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, with some also for drizzling onto it8 ounces fresh ramps, white root ends and green leafy tops separated1 to 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbsBring 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons salt and return to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package direction, until tender.Heat olive oil in a 12-to-14-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add root ends from ramps to pan and cook, stirring, until tender. Season with red pepper flakes and salt. Add leafy greens from ramps and cook, stirring, until the leaves look wilted.Drain the pasta and add to the skillet. Toss it gently to coat pasta with sauce. Divide pasta evenly and then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Serve immediately.

8 Mouth-Watering Recipes For West Virginia Ramps That'll Make You So Hungry (12)

Ingredients: 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature2 to 3 ramps, cleaned, white part minced, green parts halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise1/2 teaspoon lemon zest1/4 teaspoon coarse salt1/8 teaspoon ground black pepperMix all ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined. Transfer the butter mixture to a piece of plastic wrap and roll gently to form an even log; wrap and twist ends to seal. Butter may be kept refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Didn’t these sound just amazing!

My grandmother absolutely loves ramps! She is actually from Richwood, West Virginia! She just traveled to Nicholas County on April 18th to celebrate with the locals at the Ramp Festival.

What is your favorite ramp recipe?

Comment below!

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8 Mouth-Watering Recipes For West Virginia Ramps That'll Make You So Hungry (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to cook ramps? ›

Place ramps on hot side of grill and cook, turning occasionally, until tender and charred, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, drizzle with more olive oil, and serve.

Can you eat the leaves of ramps? ›

From their small white bulb that resembles a spring onion to their large green leaves, every part of a ramp—except the roots at the end of the bulb—is edible, whether raw or cooked.

Why are ramps so expensive? ›

Ramps are highly sought after, mainly due to their extreme seasonality. Even when they're in season, supplies are usually limited and quickly exhausted. As a result, ramps tend to be sold at higher prices than similar vegetables.

What does a ramp taste like? ›

As their food relations might suggest, ramps taste like a cross between onions and garlic. Some say they are more pungent than garlic, which has earned them the name "little stinkers."

Should you refrigerate ramps? ›

Storing ramps

If you can resist eating them all in one sitting, you will need a place to store them. Roll the ramps in a damp paper towel, then place them into an unsealed plastic bag, being careful not to bruise the greens. Then, pop them in the refrigerator. Don't be surprised if your refrigerator smells of garlic.

Are ramps good for you? ›

Leeks and wild ramps boast a variety of nutrients and beneficial compounds that may improve your digestion, promote weight loss, reduce inflammation, fight heart disease, and combat cancer. In addition, they may lower blood sugar levels, protect your brain, and fight infections.

How much does a pound of ramps sell for? ›

How much do ramps cost? Ramps are priced like they're in demand: While guides tend to estimate prices around $20 per pound or $5 for a small bunch, ramps went for $34.99 per pound last season from the specialty food purveyor D'Artagnan.

Why are ramps controversial? ›

Sustainability of ramps

In North Carolina and Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains National Park the practice of foraging for ramps was banned when a study confirmed that the only way to protect ramp patches was to harvest under 10 percent every 10 years.

Why can't ramps be farmed? ›

Unlike garlic and onions, ramps retain a lot of their natural wildness and aren't well adapted to garden beds. Gardeners who want to grow ramps successfully must replicate the conditions where ramps naturally grow. In the wild, ramps grow in moist, deciduous forests with ample shade and rich earth.

Can I freeze ramps? ›

Cut your ramps at the base of the leaves and separate your bulbs and leaves. The bulbs are ready to be frozen as-is. Lay them out on a baking sheet and place in the freezer. Once they have frozen through, package into labeled bags for storage.

When should you eat ramps? ›

The word ramps became part of colloquial American English from Southern Appalachia, where it's a regional word for “spring onion” or “wild leek.” They're available for just a few months, beginning in early spring and disappearing around mid-May to early June.

Can dogs eat ramps? ›

Rub a leaf in between your fingers and the unmistakable smell of garlic will permeate the air. But like all plants in the allium family, ramps are poisonous to dogs so prevent Rover from getting garlic breath.

Why do you blanch ramps? ›

Before You Freeze Them

The green leaves, however, should be blanched before they are frozen. This blanching step helps the leaves keep an attractive bright green color rather than turning brown when they are frozen and then thawed. To blanch ramps leaves, bring a large pot of water to a boil.

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