What are ramps

[zimmerstutzen]

I have heard folks from W VA and western Maryland talk about ramps. I gather they are like a wild garlic. How are they different from onions and garlic?

[Deleted]

I haven't got a clue what you are talking about! Anyone else I am intrigued now?

[bushmaster]

Ramps are like a shallot/wild onion. Really strong flavor! I look for them while hunting mushrooms. I've yet to be lucky enough to come across a patch in Washington County.

[Dutch]

Up in Potter they are called "leeks". Whole hillsides full of them.

The little valley on my lease SMELLS of them there are so many.

[galthatfishes]

Mar 26, 2013 20:02:28 GMT -5 bushmaster said:

Ramps are like a shallot/wild onion. Really strong flavor! I look for them while hunting mushrooms. I've yet to be lucky enough to come across a patch in Washington County.

Mingo is loaded with em.

[bushmaster]

I guess I'll be paying mingo a visit this spring. Thanks for the tip.

[berkscoflinter]

Yep! Dutch has it right. In Preston County, WV, we called them ramps. In Potter County, PA, where folks are much more refined, ramps become leeks.

[ridgecommander]

Mar 26, 2013 20:02:28 GMT -5 bushmaster said:

I've yet to be lucky enough to come across a patch in Washington County.

Mingo has tons as does the Enlow Fork area of Washington County. We dig em by the bucketfuls there and eat them with our trout.

I don't find the taste very strong at all. Milder than store bought white onions.

[wentzler]

Folks, ya have the leeks described and identified. Now let's talk caution for any and all might be inclined to venture into the field in search of wild delicases. I have taught survival and edibles/medicinals for a long time. Of all the flora and fauna though, ground plants and mushrooms remain the two 'areas' in which I am least confident. Simply because there are SOO many...and the complexity in PA from eco-type to co-type is astounding. Three years ago I located a significant patch of Cranberries...not much more than 30 minutes form home, I had never noticed before. That same spring a large family gathering in Sullivan County gathered up a big 'batch' of emerging Skunk Cabbage, in mistake for "leeks"..and about a dozen people made the ambulance ride to Laporte for severe gastro-I complications. Very fortunately, nobody died. I once very fortunately came along a back road one day just as a family was starting to pick viburnum berries in mistake for blueberries. That would not have ended well, either. It's not a hit or miss type 'hobby'. I always recommend being positive beyond numbers, and not partaking when in doubt...or go to an expert...who has survived a while

Going back to leeks...

my first experience with them, I learned 15 lbs. is a bit much for one batch Let's just put it this way...

...I am convinced dinosaurs eating vast quantities of leeks are responsible for all the Gas in the Marcellus layer

[ridgecommander]

[wentzler]

My favorite 'patch' in Sullivan County, and the one in Tioga both have both red and white leeks. A modest handful of leaves as 'fresh' as the ones in the photo Ridge posted up, along with red taters, and yer choice of protein...makes a pretty sweet sit down after day of Gobbler chasin, mushroom huntin', and a bot o' trout fishin'. Sometimes even brew a lil pot o' sassafrass tea, once, twice, but no more, once a spring. Makes a fella tickled to crawl into bed that night, knowing there will be Tuba music soon An ulde dutche favorite.."Une Mein Papa "

[wentzler]

Hoping my friend from Ontario doesn't swing through here...he'd register immediately, just to share the story of my woes one morning after..on a four and half mile cutt and run venture, run being the key part of the strategy that particular mornin' At least for me?

[Dutch]

Old boy I knew in Potter had a pipe coming down from a spring on the hill. It went into an old clawfoot bathtub. He'd dig leeks in the spring, wash them in the over flow, then just put them in the bathtub. One time, I swear it was filled with leeks.

He canned them in quart jars and had them all year long. One time, I stayed with him and he made a venison roast, with leeks. Now, I don't really care for leeks much, but admit it was pretty darned good.

I dig some for my Dad each spring, just a few. Spring tonic type thing, I guess.

[Deleted]

Mar 27, 2013 11:27:31 GMT -5 ridgecommander said:

Thanks for postin pics up Gene. Had no idea whut they looked like.

Per Ed...sounds like some are growin up in Sullivan County. Will have to look for some..

[ridgecommander]

Easy to spot as they are one of the first to emerge during green up. They are usually up by now but the weather has them slowed down a bit. By mid May they usually yellow, wilt and disappear till the next spring.

[Dutch]

They send up a seed head, sorta like an onion does, and you can see them after the leaves die.

[bigredneck]

Back in the day, working on the line crew. At lunch time, every spring, some guys would head out looking for morels and leeks. One of the good old boys would always sneak a few into the guys dinner buckets that hated leeks. Always made for interesting conversation the next morning.

[deadon4]

Pick them around camp about the same time as dandilion greens, and the first day of trout. Ramps, bacon grease, Bacon, vinegar and dandilion greens over fried potatoes now that is livin!!

[Deleted]

bunches of them around the old cook ovens around Lake Lynn in fayette co. along with morrels--if you know what area I'm refering tooo!! ;D

[ridgecommander]

Saw lots of ramps while trout fishing this weekend. We will be headed back in on the turkey opener to pick a few bags for the fish fry that evening. Yum!!