Ramps…and I’m not talking physics

A number of years ago, we bought some of these delectable greens from the farmers market and I fell in love. (I’m a huge fan of eating deep green veggies.)

Surprisingly, no ramps grow on our 27 acres. Whut?? So, we ended up buying some more from the same booth at the farmers market and planted them in a partially wooded area on our property. (Part of our subsistence philosophy is foraging…yes, I am STILL trying to sell my picture book manuscript about that.)

Fast forward a few years, and that little handful finally spread enough for us to harvest!

So, what are ramps? Here’s a good description from Wikipedia:
“Allium tricoccum (commonly known as ramps, ramson, wild leek, wood leek, or wild garlic)[2][3] is a bulbousperennialflowering plant in the amaryllis family Amaryllidaceae. It is a North American species of wild onion or garlic found in eastern North America. Many of the common English names for this plant are also used for other Allium species, particularly the similar Allium ursinum, which is native to Eurasia. An edible plant, Allium tricoccum is used in a variety of North American and indigenous cuisines, and has also been used by Native Americans in traditional medicine. A French rendering (chicagou) of a Native American name for this plant is the namesake of the American city of Chicago.”

Granted, it was a small harvest, but there should be more next year and in every subsequent year. Here’s this year’s along with some spinach and collard side shoots that the Spousal Unit harvested at the same time.

If you want to see an impressive field of it, check out Prof Andrew Whipp’s photo on iNaturalist.
Do you have a favorite green? Tell me what it is on my website blog!