Ramps | Gourmandistan

Ramping up cheese biscuits with roast duck, slaw and (of course) ramps

March 28, 2013 by Steve

It is wonderfully once again time for ramps, a benefit of Gourmandistan’s close proximity to Appalachia. (Other benefits are elk viewing tours, excellent attorneys/former judges and enormous amounts of dirty, dirty coal money to support Steve’s beloved UK Wildcats.) Michelle bought some ramps immediately upon spotting them at our first spring farmers’ market, and we happily enjoyed them in several dishes before inspiration struck twice and we ended up with what may be the best sandwich on earth. It started […]

Categories: Biscuits, Cheese, Cooking, Duck, Food, Ramps, Recipes

Lady and the ramp

March 27, 2012 by Steve

We have been almost desperately waiting for local greens, especially with this spring’s too-warm start. Last Saturday, as Steve was off wallowing in the depths of March Madness, Michelle spied some ramps at our local farm store. As Steve returned later that afternoon, gluing his eyes back to televised basketball, Michelle busied herself finding a good way to celebrate the arrival of these delicate, oniony sprigs. What are ramps, you might ask? Let’s let some nice horticulturists explain: Ramps, (Allium tricoccum or Allium tricoccum var. burdickii, […]

Categories: Beef, Cooking, Food, Muffins & quick breads, Ramps, Recipes, Soups & Stews

Ramp-a-lama-ding-dong

March 22, 2011 by Michelle

Spring is teasing its way into Gourmandistan, and our nation’s population is bouncing in anticipation of fresh, green things to eat. (These things do include spiders and bugs, but only for the cats.) This past Saturday Steve snagged several bunches of ramps, one of the first local greens to pop up, from the Foxhollow Farm Store. Ramps, like onions, garlic and leeks, are part of the lily family and grow wild in moist forests across eastern North America—especially in Appalachia. […]

Categories: Cooking, Food, Italy, Pasta, Ramps, Recipes, Vegetarian