Alright, let’s dive into my ramp dinner adventure in West Virginia for 2024. It was a wild ride, let me tell you!
First off, I heard about these ramp dinners. You know, ramps – those garlicky, oniony wild leeks that pop up in the spring. People go nuts for ’em here in WV. So, I decided I had to see what all the fuss was about. I googled “ramp dinners in wv 2024” and found a bunch of local churches and community centers hosting ’em.
I picked one that was about an hour’s drive away. Figured, “Hey, a little road trip never hurt anyone!” I filled up the gas tank, grabbed a buddy, and we headed out. The drive itself was pretty scenic, winding roads and all that Appalachian charm. But honestly, I was mostly thinking about ramps.
When we arrived, the place was packed! Seriously, a line snaked out the door. It was a mix of locals, families, and folks like me, just curious about the whole ramp thing. We waited in line, chatting with the people around us. Everyone was super friendly, swapping ramp recipes and sharing stories about their favorite ways to cook ’em.
Finally, we got inside! The smell of ramps was overpowering in the best way possible. They were cooking ’em up every which way: ramp cornbread, ramp potatoes, ramps and eggs, ramp burgers… you name it, they had it with ramps.
I grabbed a plate and loaded it up. Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming. I tried the ramp and eggs first. They were pretty good – a bit pungent, but in a good way. Then I dug into the ramp cornbread. That was a winner! Sweet and savory, with that unmistakable ramp flavor. The ramp potatoes were also solid – creamy and garlicky.
After eating my fill (and then some), I walked around and checked out the other stuff they had going on. There was a bake sale with ramp-themed goodies, a raffle with ramp-related prizes, and even a little craft fair with local artisans selling their wares. I even bought a jar of ramp pesto. Figured I could try my hand at making my own ramp dishes later.
Left the dinner feeling completely stuffed and utterly ramp-ified. Was it worth the hype? Yeah, I’d say so. It’s not just about the food; it’s about the whole experience. It’s a community thing, a celebration of spring, and a chance to experience a unique Appalachian tradition. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for something different to do in WV.
Ramp Recipes I’m Going to Try:
- Ramp Pesto Pasta: I’m thinking pesto with some grilled chicken or shrimp.
- Ramp Frittata: A quick and easy breakfast or brunch option.
- Ramp Butter: Slather it on everything! Bread, steak, potatoes… the possibilities are endless.
Learned a lot, ate a lot, and had a great time. Would I go again? Absolutely. Maybe next year I’ll even try foraging for my own ramps. Wish me luck!
