Ramp It Up! Festival
Ramps, also known as wild leeks, are native to the Appalachian mountain region in eastern North America. Ramps can be found growing in patches in rich, moist, deciduous forests as far north as Canada, west to Missouri and Minnesota, and south to North Carolina and Tennessee. As one of the first plants to emerge in the spring, ramps were traditionally consumed as the season's first "greens."
Ramps were considered a tonic because they provided necessary vitamins and minerals following long winter months without access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Ramps are pleasant to eat and taste like spring onions with a strong garlic-like aroma. They are often prepared by frying in butter or animal fat with sliced potatoes or scrambled eggs. They are also used as an ingredient in other dishes such as soup, pancakes, and hamburgers. They can also be pickled or dried for use later in the year.
For more information about the Ramp It Up! Festival, contact the Cherokee Welcome Center at 800-438-1601 or Loretta Kirby at 828-497-8128. To download the Ramp It Up festival participant rules and registration form at www.cherokee-nc.com/pdf/ramp-itup 2007-hs-rules.doc. For more information on Cherokee, visit: www.cherokee-nc.com
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