Ramps are kind of like a garlicky version of a scallion. Only in season for a short time, make this fleeting spring veggie last a little longer with ramp pesto the perfect pasta sauce for any shape.
Every year I am guaranteed to have at least one sleepless night. And it’s not because of anything bad. I get so excited for the kickoff of outdoor farmer’s market season in Chicago that I am just too giddy to sleep.
Even though the first few weeks are pretty sparse with selection, ramps one of the most special things that appear first at the stands. They are one of the few things that are tough to find in grocery stores, which we all mistakenly think have everything, but are easier to spot at the market. They are just too delicate for the store shelves.
An unofficial first sign of early spring, these wild onions are a relative of shallots, leeks and scallions, all part of the allium family. They have flavor that reminds me of a cross between garlic and green onions. You can eat them raw, sautéed or roasted.
In appearance, they look closest to scallions. Wild ramps are long and slender but their leaves are broad and green and they have a burgundy stem that fades into the white bulb end and hairy root.
Ramp season runs from late April to early June. I recommend using fresh ramps as soon as you can. If you do need to store them for a couple days, wrap them in damp paper towels and put them in the refrigerator.
This is what you need for this ramp pesto recipe:
Reach for mason jars and keep the pesto in the refrigerator up to 1 week. You can store it in the freezer up to 2 months. I recommend using ice cube trays to portion it out for simple thawing and use.
My favorite way to eat fresh pesto in general is to stir it into a large bowl of cooked pasta or grains like barley or farro. You can also whisk it into eggs or even vinaigrette for salads to add lots of garlicky flavor.
Traditional Basil Pesto
Roasted Broccoli Pesto
Sweet Corn Pesto
Spinach Pesto
Cilantro Pesto
Parsley Walnut Pesto
Vegan Kale Arugula Pesto
Ramps are kind of like a garlicky version of a scallion. Only in season for a short time, make this fleeting spring veggie last a little longer with ramp pesto the perfect pasta sauce for any shape.
Keywords: ramp pesto
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