Spring is Here: Ramp Pesto, Bloodroot & Wild Leeks

Spring is finally here on the ridge!

New little ephemerals such as marsh marigolds, bloodroot, and ramps (wild leeks) are sprouting all about the Ridge! Beavers were seen in the pond in the wetlands, as well as many new waterfowl. Recorded so far are trumpeter swans, hooded mergansers, common mergansers, red-breasted mergansers, buffleheads, pied-billed grebes, redheads, and shovelers.

Here is a recipe for Ramp Pesto:

Try it yourself with the ramps you find in your neighborhood!

1/2 cup ramps (aka wild leeks), roots trimmed and roughly chopped

1/2 cup basil

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano

Puree!