Author: RampHead (Page 2 of 15)

2024 Early Fall Ramp Bulbs

Dear Valued Customers,

I hope this message finds you well and eagerly anticipating the changing seasons. As the days grow shorter and the air carries that unmistakable crispness, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news: our ramp bulbs are back!

Over the past month, I’ve been heartened by the flurry of emails from many of you, all inquiring about the availability of these beloved treasures. I appreciate your patience as we’ve worked diligently to ensure the highest quality bulbs for your culinary and planting needs.

The Wait Is Over: Ramp Bulbs Are Here!

While it’s true that this year’s ramp season arrived a tad later than usual, I assure you that the wait has been worth it. Our ramp beds have been carefully tended, allowing these wild leeks to thrive in their natural woodland habitat. And now, with great joy, I announce that our ramp bulbs are ready for packaging and delivery.

Why Our Ramp Bulbs Stand Out:

Plump and Robust: Picture this—rows of ramp bulbs, nestled in the rich, loamy soil, soaking up the dappled sunlight filtering through the forest canopy. These bulbs have flourished, growing plump and robust. Their vibrant green leaves and ivory bulbs are a testament to nature’s resilience.

Versatility Defined: Our ramp bulbs are not just for the kitchen (though they certainly excel there). Yes, you can pickle them, sauté them with butter, or fold them into a delicate omelette. But don’t forget their potential beyond the culinary realm! Plant them now, and come spring, you’ll be rewarded with tender shoots that burst forth, adding a wild touch to your garden beds or containers.

Canning and Preserving: If you’re a fan of preserving the flavors of each season, these ramp bulbs are your canvas. Imagine jars of pickled ramps lining your pantry shelves—their pungent, garlicky aroma preserved for months to come. Whether you’re a seasoned canner or a curious beginner, these bulbs are your ticket to homemade goodness.

Planting for Future Harvests: Perhaps you’re thinking ahead, planning for next year’s bounty. Smart move! Plant these ramp bulbs now, and watch as they establish themselves. By next spring, you’ll have a patch of wild ramps ready for sustainable harvesting. Plus, their delicate white flowers are a sight to behold.

I thank each and every one of you for your continued patronage over the years.

As always, you can find the ramp bulb order page here:
https://wildwestvirginiaramps.com/order-ramp-bulbs/

Blackwater Falls State Park – WV

Last Batch Of Ramp Bulbs For Winter/Spring 2024

I have just put the sales page up for the last of the ramp bulbs. This is all there will be until this fall. Most of these that I have now have already started growing and they have 1″ to 3″ of green leaves starting to sprout. I don’t have a lot, but I will keep the sales buttons up until I have exhausted my supply. These are literally “instant ramps” since they have already started to grow.

Have a great spring!

Small Ramp Sprouts
Small Ramp Sprouts

Ramp Bulbs In Stock January 2024

I’ve had several emails over the past few weeks from people asking when I would have ramp bulbs available again. Between the emails from people wanting to get their hands on some more bulbs and the decent weather we’ve had over the past few days, I decided to re-stock my bulb supply. As of now, ramp bulbs are back in stock.

The order form is located here.

Coal Train in Thurmond, WV
Coal Train in the ghost town of Thurmond, WV

Ramp Infused Meatballs

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

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

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.

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Wild West Virginia Ramps