Spring is always a fun time of the year after a dreary cold winter. Snowdrops start the season off followed by the crocuses. The blue scilla are everywhere in the lawn and the tulips are budding out.
But my favorite part is looking for the edibles such as ramps, spring onions, chives, nettles, baby mustard (self-seeded from last fall), asparagus and whatever else I can find.
Ramp Colonies
This year Noel picked the first of our ramps. He started the patch in our woods about eight years ago. We got the first clump from Southern Exposure Seed Company, then added a second batch from our friend, Henry Homeyer, about four years ago. And I have been waiting and waiting to try them. They say it takes seven years to establish a patch. There is lots of ramp information on the world wide web along with a variety of recipes. They can be used in salads, soups, pesto and pickled to name a few.
I picked Spaghetti with Ramps from Bon Appétit to try. I had a small handful of ramps so I cut the recipe in half for the two of us. It was quite tasty with the lemon zest and juice. Check it out. Next year maybe I’ll have enough to try a couple of new recipes.
Bon appetit!