613050 Sat Apr 18 14:35:21 -0700 2009 15 8 Midwest 0 4607414 We had a great meal at Trattoria Tosca last night that was ramp-filled. I know we are a little early fo ramp season here (theirs came from West Virginia), but once we are into the full of it in a couple of weeks, where are the best places to buy ramps (for home use) and what are te best restaurants to eat them at? I'm almost ready to join the Harmony Valley Farms CSA just for the ramps, but that seems a little bit excessive. Sat Apr 18 14:35:21 -0700 2009 12890 kersie 1 4607915 You can get ramps at Mississippi Market in St Paul when they are in season, and probably at some of the other co-ops as well. I am pretty sure Harmony Valley Farms supplies produce to the Wedge and Mississippi Market. Sat Apr 18 18:49:58 -0700 2009 4607414 28204 Quince 1 4610253 Ramps are on the menu at Heartland this week - they're in at least in one dish (smoked fish and celeriac soup with ramps). I almost ordered it, but was lured away by the gnocchi with morels and fiddlehead ferns - another sign of spring in the Midwest. Anne Sun Apr 19 20:58:24 -0700 2009 4607414 12541 AnneInMpls 2 4610539 I've always been curious about what fiddlehead ferns taste like and haven't yet had a chance to try them. Are they describable? Mon Apr 20 03:06:13 -0700 2009 4610253 120833 Enso 3 4610582 Fiddlehead ferns remind me of asparagus in texture and in taste, though, a little earthier. You use them in the same dishes as you would asparagus, too. They had them at Mississippi Market last year--I assume they will have them this year, too. ~TDQ Mon Apr 20 04:28:47 -0700 2009 4610539 12005 The Dairy Queen 4 4611675 Good description, TDQ! I'd never had fiddlehead ferns before last night. I thought they tasted exactly like the ferns in my yard smell, with the crunch of a very thin asparagus spear. I liked them very much! Anne Mon Apr 20 10:58:40 -0700 2009 4610582 12541 AnneInMpls 1 4614761 Thanks for the suggestions. I went to the Wedge on Saturday with the hopes that they'd have some spring stuff out only to be reminded that it is just too early. (After living in New York for 7 years, I am used to some of the earlier spring stuff being out by now.) So I will keep looking! I have never been as into fiddlehead ferns as ramps, although my husband loves them. They're also a little more fussy to cook because they taste a lot better if they are blanched before being sauteed. But I am excited about having more morel options! I think I also noticed a ramp dish at Heidi's last week, but I may be wrong. Tue Apr 21 09:43:02 -0700 2009 4607414 12890 kersie 1 4616963 Just got back from Mississippi Market (Selby & Dale), and they had both ramps and fiddlehead ferns. The ramps were in a pretty sorry state, though - very wilted - and they only had three small bunches. Tue Apr 21 20:03:51 -0700 2009 4607414 77333 ShinyCake 2 4626331 I bought one of the four bunches, leaving three. I'd never had ramps before, only heard of them, and could NOT pass them up. Brought my bunch home and crispped it up in the 'fridge in cold water. Maybe not knowing any better, they were just perfect to me. I fell in love with them. Missed the ferns. Will see what's up tomorrow at MM at Selby/Dale. Fri Apr 24 16:32:18 -0700 2009 4616963 221768 green56 1 4620687 Ramps were served with my scallops last night at Barbette. They were combined with roasted tomatoes and a mango curry sauce. Thu Apr 23 02:47:11 -0700 2009 4607414 120164 BigSal 1 4649602 They had some beautiful looking ramps at the Wedge yesterday. I am fairly certain they were from Harmony Valley farms. I used a bunch to make our favorite risotto recipe with them and they were a little light on the distinctive rampy flavor (it may be too early in the season) but still delicious. Sun May 03 05:07:47 -0700 2009 4607414 12890 kersie 1 4649667 Best places to eat them? I would add Cafe Levain to Tosca. We had a delicious spring soup garnished with pickled ramps last week there. Turns out the chef from Levain (Adam Vickerman) has moved to Tosca, and he is a real locavore and ramp-lover. I would imagine the two restaurants will have similar spirits to their menus. Sun May 03 06:05:08 -0700 2009 4607414 161840 cheeseguysgirl 1 4649786 I found them at Mississippi Market on Wednesday of this week, but yesterday (Saturday) it appeared that they were out. Sun May 03 07:23:31 -0700 2009 4607414 186272 LizzieB_MSP 1 4679322 Saw some lovely ramps at Seward Coop recently. I don't know if they are local, but they looked crisp and fresh. ~TDQ Wed May 13 06:46:13 -0700 2009 4607414 12005 The Dairy Queen 1 4689358 Whole Foods at Fairview & Grand had a bunch -- well, a bunch of bunches, in good shape. From Wisconsin (and Michigan, IIRC). I bought a couple bunches, probably will use one for dinner tonight. Miss Market frequently has them; don't know about this weekend, though. Can't talk about where to eat them; I don't seem to get out that much anymore :-( Sat May 16 09:46:04 -0700 2009 4607414 58210 steve_in_stpaul 2 4730979 Looks like we are done for the season. Our supplier from Mill City Market told us it got too hot and too windy. I guessed when it hit the 90s last week we had to be close to the end. Fortunately, we made some ramp butter with ours and had it today on some sourdough, plus I got to have some of the pickled ramps at Tosca again this weekend. Sun May 31 18:01:19 -0700 2009 4689358 12890 kersie