Rampsy Spinach

Recently when I went hiking, I saw these plants everywhere.

Two big leaves, no flowers. I thought before they were some kind of lily, but happen I learned these are wild leeks (Allium triccocum). Most people use another name for them, Ramps. They are a weird plant, because happen ramps grow leaves in the fall, and in late spring these leaves die. In summer, the flower stalk grows alone. Many people harvest ramps in the spring for eating. They taste similar togarlic, or onion, or leek, but different from all of them, and they have a very strong taste.

I came again with my older sister to harvest leeks. I decided I wanted to make something really simple with them. It is an old recipe named Garlicky Spinach. Chopped garlic, anchovies, and spinach all sauteed in olive oil until spinach wilts. Ramps leaves have a very similar texture with spinach, so happen I think I will add them.

It is really nice we found this area with many ramps, because often people harvest too many. The best way for harvesting ramps is to take only one leaf from plants late in spring. If you try to dig them and take the stem, happen you can hurt the roots and you will not have a plant growing there next year.

We also harvested some Garlic Mustard (Aliaria petiolata). This plant, you can harvest whatever you want. Harvest everything. It is really bad for spring wildflowers, but it have nice mild garlic taste.

I sauteed 20 washed and chopped ramps leaves and some garlic mustard leaves with two cloves chopped garlic and one pound washed spinach. We did not have anchovies this week and my older sister is vegetarian, so happen we added some salt. When all leaves were wilted, I added cooked fettucini and fresh ground pepper. I think it was good, the ramps mix nice with other flavors. I think I want to try it next year with only garlic mustard and ramps and no spinach.