I love ramps. This is from the Appalachian History Blog, one of my favorite blogs:
Ramps are the first green thing of spring in Appalachia, and certainly the smelliest. Mountain folks have traditionally looked forward to the return of the ramp after a winter of eating mostly dried foods, often believing the ramp to possess the revitalizing power of a spring tonic (not unreasonable: they are high in vitamins A & C.)
The “little stinkers” are typically served with ham, bacon, fried potatoes, brown beans, cornbread, and a dessert. If you’re a serious aficionado ofallium tricoccum, you know it’s an acquired taste: take garlic and multiply that intensity by about ten. The mere scent of those who have recently eaten a mess of ramps has been known to clear a room.
Opening day of The Ramps & Rainbow Festival takes place tomorrow at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds in Cherokee, NC, kicking off a month and more of festivals celebrating the most loved bulb in Appalachia. The high points of these community fundraisers include the Ramp Festival at Cosby, TN, and the Feast of the Ramson (this year is the 71st one) at Richwood, WV. But many smaller events proliferate throughout April and well into May.
The Ramps and Rainbow Festival was held late last month. The next big ramp party that I’m aware of near Asheville is the Ramp Festival on May 3 in Waynesville. Enjoy ’em!