Get “Ramped” & Ready for a Taste of Haywood County This Weekend

Get “Ramped” & Ready for a Taste of Haywood County This Weekend Ramps Here’s a little trivia question for you: Do you know what a ramp is? If you answered an inclined plane, you’re not completely wrong, but that’s not the ramp... More

Get “Ramped” & Ready for a Taste of Haywood County This Weekend Ramps Here’s a little trivia question for you: Do you know what a ramp is? If you answered an inclined plane, you’re not completely wrong, but that’s not the ramp I’m referring to. I’m talking about the famous wild leeks of the Appalachian Mountains better known as ramps! Ramps, (Allium tricoccum) are native to the Appalachian mountain region and are particularly prevalent here in the North Carolina Smoky Mountains. Ramps can be found growing in rich, moist patches of forest and are one of the first plants to emerge in the spring. Ramps were traditionally consumed as the seasons first “greens.” They were known to provide necessary vitamins and minerals following long winter months without access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Ramps have a similar taste to spring onions but have a strong garlic-like aroma. They are often prepared by frying in butter or fat with sl Less