Ramping Up for Ramps

Ramps are the first forageable green of spring, and Gossips wants to be the first forageable blog to announce Ramp Fest Hudson, which will take place on April 30 at Basilica Hudson. The festival will celebrate the ramp (a.k.a. spring onion, ramson, wild leek, wild garlic)--a spring delicacy abundant in the Hudson Valley--and will feature original dishes starring the ramp created by top chefs and restaurants in the Hudson Valley and New York City.

Participating in the event will be Hudson's own Jeff Gimmel of Swoon Kitchenbar, Daniel Nilsson of DA|BA, and Shawn Snyder of Baba Louie's. Joining them will be--from the Hudson Valley--Jamie Parry of Another Fork in the Road in Milan, Job Yacubian of The Farmer's Wife in Ancramdale, Kevin Katz of The Red Onion in Saugerties, and--from New York City--Zak Pelaccio of the Fatty 'Cue, the Silkstone Team of The Fat Radish, Robert Berry of Cookshop, and Ricky King of Hundred Acres. 

"The ramp is a harbinger of spring," says Gimmel. "I look forward to its arrival every year. Its pungent flavor and versality makes it a favorite among locavore chefs, and it is always found on the spring menus of top restaurants in the city. That's why we wanted to throw a true celebration of this weird and wonderful wild veggie."

In central Appalachian Mountain folklore, ramps are believed to have great power as a tonic to ward off the many ailments of winter. With much of Hudson still struggling to shake off the persistent bronchial ailment that has beset so many, bring on the ramps!