While these Ramps may look like everyday items (scallions, spring onion, leeks, garlic) - and they are certainly in the family of these common vegetables, the flavor is entirely different and incredibly inspirational! The issue we are having is not incorporating this ingredient into our menu, but instead refraining from placing Ramps into every aspect of our menu!
The bulbs - edible, delicious, crispy when fried - almost like mini onion rings, but better. We suggest a bit of lemon to really bring out a special flavor. The leaves - yum. Milder than the bulb, fries up easily, can be incorporated into many dishes. One thing we love about Ramp leaves is watching them cook. Place in a saute pan and watch these leaves dance for you! Then pop them into your mouth for an out-of-this-world experience.
We understand that the pleasure we get from vegetables may not be the norm, but we do thing Ramps are worth a try for everyone. They are incredibly in season right now, go get em!
Here at the Paladar Kitchen, we are placing a beer marinate lamb atop a bed of sauteed ramps - obviously we have a couple other secret ingredients at work here and in order to really experience it, you'll have to reserve a seat! In the meantime though, cook and enjoy!
