Wild Ramps and Parmesan Scramble
Our friend Gerry has a farm in upstate New York, in Delaware County, and it is a trove of little wildly growing goodies. Each spring, around the end of April through the end of May, little leafy wild leeks, called ramps, spring up (ahead of the rhubarb, ahead of the asparagus) in patches on the side of streamlets. These wild leeks taste amazingly good with eggs, though we often pickle the bulbs and use just the leaves for scrambled eggs. At our local farmers’ market in Manhattan’s Union Square, ramps are one of the first green things to fill the winter-barren tables. If you can’t find ramps, leeks make a good substitute. Use one-quarter of a well-washed, chopped leek per serving. Also try substituting goat cheese for the Parmesan for a slightly different flavor. Serve with Skillet Hash Browns (page 211).
Recipe information
Yield
serves 1
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Wash the ramps very well under cold running water. Trim and chop them into 1- or 2-inch pieces. You should have about 1/2 cup of chopped ramps.
Step 2
Using a whisk or a fork, beat the eggs in a small bowl until frothy.
Step 3
Heat the butter in an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the ramps and sauté for 3 minutes, or until they begin to soften.
Step 4
Reduce the heat under the pan to low. Pour the eggs into the pan. Cook, constantly pushing the eggs toward the center of the pan with a rubber spatula, until the eggs begin to thicken. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook and stir the eggs over low heat for another minute, or until nearly set but still soft and creamy. Spoon the eggs onto a serving plate and serve immediately.
