From Ground to Gibson

Every Spring, the Blackberry chefs, Farmstead team and local foragers alike look forward to their annual search across the foothills for the beloved vegetable known as the ramp. Ramps are a wild onion that possess a strong, garlicky flavor, and they have long been a staple in Appalachian cooking. Their limited availability, in addition to their unique flavor, is a large part of what makes them so coveted across the region.

“The season for ramps is short – typically only four weeks long, depending on growing conditions,” says Blackberry Farm Larder Manager Veronica Krebs. “They grow in moist areas, typically at higher elevations, and in patches that develop in the Spring. Traditionally, they were eaten after the Winter months as one of the season's first harvestable greens.”

Now at the start of Summer, the harvesting season for ramps has passed. But thanks to the efforts of the Preservation Kitchen team, we’re able to enjoy their Springtime flavor all year long!

While our chefs imagine new ways to incorporate the ramps’ fresh flavor in their dishes, team members like Veronica are busy pickling so that we can enjoy ramps’ iconic flavor for seasons to come. Pickling is a great preservation technique for all kinds of fruits and vegetables, and it’s especially helpful for ingredients like ramps with short growing seasons. 

“Pickling is a tried-and-true way that allows one to experience the freshness of the season long past the time it was grown and harvested,” Veronica says. “As with the majority of food and food ingredients, receiving the ramps quickly is essential to preserving the quality. Acquiring the ramps at the height of the Spring season and pickling them, sometimes within less than 24 hours of being harvested, helps keep the intense, natural flavors of the raw ramp intact.”

To process fresh ramps, the Preservation Kitchen first cleans them, then cuts off the stems and roots. If the greens are still viable, they cut those off as well to utilize in other products. Next, they put spices, ramp bulbs and brine in jars and process them to make them shelf stable. The result is our signature Blackberry Farm Pickled Ramps, which feature a taste of Spring in every bite, any time of year!

Inspired by the signature flavor of these pickled ramps, the Blackberry Farm Beverage team has created a one-of-a-kind cocktail that you can try out at home. Check it out below, and discover even more ways to enjoy our iconic Farmstead product in our Ramp Recipe Roundup!

Dirty Gibson Martini

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ ounces Belvedere Vodka
• ½ ounce Dolin Blanc
• ¾ ounce Blackberry Farm Pickled Ramp brine
• Barspoon of saline solution
• 3 drops lemon-chive oil, for garnish
• Blackberry Farm Pickled Ramp, for garnish

To make:
Shake all ingredients together, then double strain into a coupe glass. Add three drops of lemon-chive oil and one Blackberry Farm Pickled Ramp on a pick for garnish.

Since the original date of publication, this recipe has been modified by the Main House Beverage team. The updated recipe is reflected above.