Author: RampHead (Page 1 of 13)

Ramp Infused Meatballs

October 15, 2023 / / 0 Comments

The standard recipe below makes about 18 meatballs.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs of ground beef
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/2 cup of milk
  • 1/2 cup of chopped ramp bulbs
  • 2/3 cup of uncooked rice
  • 1 tsp chili powder, + 1 tsp later
  • 2 tsp salt, + 1 tsp later
  • 2-1/2 cups of diced tomatoes, fresh or canned
  • 2-1/2 cups of water
  • 2 tablespoons of chopped yellow onion

Instructions

  1. Mix together meat, eggs, milk, ramp bulbs, rice, chili powder and 2 tsp of salt.
  2. Form into 1-1/2″ balls. Brown in skillet.
  3. In a large saucepan, combine tomatoes, water, onion, and remaining seasonings. Bring to a boil, then drop in meatballs. Cover and cook slowly on low heat for 1-1/2 hours.
  4. Serve with fresh parmesan or mozzarella cheese.
  5. Alternatives would be to serve on a hoagie bun (meatball sub), or serve on top of pasta / spaghetti.

2023 Fall Ramp Bulb Update #1

September 30, 2023 / / 0 Comments

It’s official. Fall has arrived in dramatic fashion. The leaves are quickly changing into vibrant colors of yellow, orange, and red. High School football games are in full swing and it’s homecoming for a lot of them. Homecoming parades, games, and dances have likely consumed the time from a lot of families this weekend.

While I was in the deer blind with my son this morning (today is the first day of bowhunting season here in WV) we watched thousands of leaves fall off the branches and hit the ground in seemingly endless supply. We didn’t get a deer this morning, but it was nice to be out in the quiet calm of the woods for an extended time.

Over the past couple of days, we restocked our ramp bulb levels and have a large quantity to sell once again. So if you missed out on the last batch, make sure you get some now. These bulbs are fat and gorgeous, perfect for making some caramelized ramp bulbs, pickled ramps bulbs, or just about any other dish you want to make with them. Of course they can just as easily be planted right now so you will have your own ramp greens ready to harvest in the spring.

As more and more leaves come off the trees, the bulbs get harder to find so there is no guarantee that I will have more at a later date. Although I certainly hope that I do.

The ramp bulb order page is located here https://wildwestvirginiaramps.com/order-ramp-bulbs/

Caramelized Ramp Bulbs

September 30, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Caramelized Ramp Bulbs
Caramelized Ramp Bulbs

These caramelized ramp bulbs are a delicious treat by themselves or an excellent choice for a unique side dish!

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 pounds of ramp bulbs
  • 3 tablespoons of brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Melt butter in an oven proof sauté pan over medium heat. The pan should be large enough to hold all of the ramp bulbs in a single layer.
  3. Add bulbs and cook until they begin to brown slightly, about 10 minutes.
  4. Add sugar and toss, continuing to cook until sugar melts and begins to bubble, about 2 minutes.
  5. Add salt, pepper, and vinegar and cook for about 5 minutes longer.
  6. Place the pan in the oven, uncovered, and roast for 15 minutes.
  7. Remove to a serving dish and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
  8. Serve while still warm.
  9. Serves 4-6 people as a side dish.
  10. (For a smaller serving, just halve all ingredients.)

You can buy fresh ramp bulbs for this recipe here.

2023 Late Summer Ramp Bulb Update #3

September 12, 2023 / / 2 Comments

Cool fall weather is quickly approaching. We are supposed to have a few nights down in the 40’s this week. That will be a refreshing feeling compared to the hot and humid weather we have had the past month. I’m not looking forward to winter at all, but I do love fall. Are you still enduring the scorching heat where you are located? I know some of you have had some extreme temperatures over the past couple of months.

Have you heard about the newest National Park located right here in West Virginia? New River Gorge National Park. I grew up beating, banging, and stomping around in the New River, Gauley River, and they’re tributaries. It’s kind of amazing that the New River Gorge is now a national park. We also have a new state park, the first new state park in over 30 years – Summersville Lake. A major attraction for boating, fishing, water skiing and jet skiing. I kind of feel like my little places that were hidden away from the world are slowly but surely getting more and more national attention.

I have new freshly dug ramp bulbs ready to go out the door. If you have been waiting to order some, now is as good a time as any!

Here is the link to the order page https://wildwestvirginiaramps.com/order-ramp-bulbs/

New River Gorge National Park

Have you ever made Pickled Ramp Bulbs?

August 24, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Pickled ramp bulbs are a delicious treat any time of the year. However, this time of the year the bulbs are nice and fat, perfect for pickling! Here is how I like to make mine.

First, you have to get yourself some ramp bulbs.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 2 teaspoons pink peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • ⅛ teaspoon hot chili flakes
  • 2 bay leafs
  • 1 pound ramp bulbs, cleaned and trimmed
  • Kosher salt for blanching

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Trim the root ends off of the ramps and rinse the ramps well under cool, running water.
  • Bring a 2-3 quart pot of water up to boil and add 2 tablespoons of salt.
  • Drop in the ramps and cook for 2-4 minutes, depending on size) They should be tender but not mushy. Remove and shock them in ice water until cool. Drain the ramps well and place them in a the jar you’re going to pickle them in.
  • In a saucepan, combine the vinegar, salt, sugar, and water and bring to a boil. Add the bay leaf and all the spices. Turn off the heat.
  • Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the ramps in the mason jar and let cool on the counter (30 minutes or so). Then seal tightly and transfer to the refrigerator. They’ll be ready to eat in a day or two.
  • The refrigerated pickled ramps will last a few weeks to a couple of months
Pickled Ramp Bulbs
If life gives you ramps, make pickled ramps. These garlicky bulbs preserved in a spice vinegar become a tangy crunchy substitute for pickled onions.

2023 Late Summer Ramp Bulb Update

August 9, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Hello everyone. I hope you are all enjoying your summer. It’s been a mild summer here in the mountains for the most part. We’ve had very few days in the 80’s at my house and no days in the 90’s. It’s been pretty great.

I did get a bit of an early start on the ramp bulbs compared to last year, and I have a few that are ready to go. The bulbs are large and plump right now, just right for canning, pickling, eating, or planting for a harvest next year.

The order page has the payment info. You can find it here https://wildwestvirginiaramps.com/order-ramp-bulbs/

Long Point at Summersville Lake West Virginia.
Long Point in Summersville Lake West Virginia.
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