Ramps = Wild Leeks

Janine Toth brought us Ramp Pesto the year we served on Search Committee One which was unsuccessful in bringing a full-time senior minister to UU.   The flavor of this beautiful Kermit-the Frog true green pesto was strong and garlic-like and I remember wanting more.  As I learned, the pesto was made from wild leeks or ramps as they are more frequently called.   They grow in moist woodlands and are only available for about 3 or 4 weeks and they do not appear in the same location annually.  They are illusive!   
At the Memorial Garden Cleanup last Sunday April 27^th,  Debby Funk, one of the Memorial Garden Stewards, told us about huge patches of ramps growing across from the paint gun place on the way to Funks Grove.  As an aside, Debby and Mike make Maple Sirup down there tapping thousands of trees ! 

Yesterday I went down to Funks Grove, parked in the paint gun parking lot and went across the street to enter the woods filled with wildflowers.  From Debby's description of the ramps resembling tulip leaves, I found them.  I felt as though I found a million dollars!  I made several cups of ramp pesto all wrapped tightly and placed in the freezer.   Salmon topped with ramp pesto was delicious and made a lovely lunch served cold the next day.   I surprised Janine this morning and presented her a container of ramp pesto.