5 Aromatic Substitutes for Ramps

I love adding ramps to my green soup as it is the only quick recipe that perfectly captures the essence of ramps. I’d never used any substitute for ramps before in my soup. However, one night I had a persistent craving for the soup.

But I knew there were no ramps in the house, as I had exhausted the supply only two days ago. Between work and other important matters, I hadn’t found any time to do the grocery shopping. And since I couldn’t make the craving go away, I decided to cave in finally and use its substitute.

It turns out there existed quite a few potential options for me to try. Therefore I decided to give each ramp vegetable substitute a try the next day.

An Overview on Ramps

The foremost thing we should talk about is what ramps are or aren’t? The latter tends to leave readers less confused. So let me tell you that Ramps are neither leeks nor scallions. They are not like shallots either. Although, many people, rather unhelpfully, tend to call ramps wild leeks or spring onions.

However, ramps are smaller and a lot more delicate. They have a couple of flat and broad leaves. They’re smaller and slightly more delicate and have one or two flat, broad leaves.

When it comes to taste, ramps taste much stronger than the leek. Leeks have a mild onion-like taste. Similarly, they have a more intense garlic flavor than scallions too.

Why are ramps so expensive?

Think of ramps and steep prices. Ramps are very pricey because of their short supply. Ramps are not widely cultivated. Rather farmers forage them after the winter snow melts.

Ramp recipes:

• Ramp Carbonara
• Salmon with green olives and ramp beurre blanc
• Ramp and mushroom tart
• Grilled zucchini with ramp aioli

What are some health benefits of ramps?

Ramps are tasty and very appealing to eyes. However, aside from their culinary benefits. Ramps are extremely nutritious and good for our body. Some of their health benefits include:

1. It helps in strengthening our body’s immune system.
2. It is helpful for curing lung infections.
3. It is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent.
4. It has antimicrobial properties to prevent infections.
5. It is an excellent source of vitamin A and E.
6. It also contains a considerable amount of vitamin C.
7. It contains selenium and is a good source of folate.
8. It is beneficial for improving hair health.

What can I use instead of Ramps?

I have assembled a list of the best veggies that you can use to substitute for ramps in your cooking. The alternatives mentioned below are quite similar to the flavor and scent of ramps. However, please make sure that you adjust the ingredients based on your recipe.

1. Leeks

My first choice is leeks. Leeks and ramps are so similar in taste, appearance, and other qualities that people call leeks wild ramps. Their taste is similar to onions. However, it carries mild traces of the classic garlic pungency.

Leeks are huge, and also they tend to get tougher as they age. You can use Leeks in a variety of recipes that call for ramps. Moreover, they are easy to find in the supermarket too.

Nutrition content of Leeks:

2. Spring onions

Spring onions are another excellent substitute for ramps in a recipe. They are more mature than scallions. Spring onions have white bulbs topped with green. You can eat them raw and fresh. However, cooking brings forth a wonderful taste too.

Spring onions are sufficient for numerous dishes such as salads, pastas, and other vegetables. Moreover, you can caramelize them and try them as a substitute in any recipe that you want.

Nutrition content of spring onions:

3. Shallots

Try shallots if you don’t have either of the above in the fridge. This substitute works in all recipes. Shallots have a vibrant taste, with notes of both sweetness and tanginess. You can enjoy them raw or cook with other dishes, including salads.

All you have to do is chop the shallots to the right size and then add them to the dish of your choice. You can substitute ramps for shallots in soups(think green soup), sauces, casseroles, and much more. However, since both shallots and ramps differ in size and sharpness of taste, you will have to adjust their amounts.

Nutrition content of Shallots:

4. Scallions

Scallions, also referred to as green onions, have a distinctive but mild onion-like flavor. They are cultivated while they are still young and fresh.

Scallions are not pungent and have a slightly sweet flavor. I love how scallions amp up the taste, appearance, and aroma of any dish you add them to; especially salads.

Scallions look a lot like ramps, only bigger as compared to the tiny and delicate ramp structure. Everyone must eat scrambled eggs with scallions, and for that matter, with ramps once in their lifetime.

Nutrition content of Scallions or Green Onions:

5. Garlic cloves

Ramps are famous for their garlicky flavor. Therefore, if you have none of the above substitutes available at home, you can simply add some garlic to your dish.

Of course, you can eat garlic raw, although many people find its smell rather intense and tend to avoid eating uncooked garlic. However, this does not mean that they don’t have dissimilarities.

The best thing about garlic is its versatility. You can add it to any recipe and still enjoy its unique creamy, tangy, nutty taste and aroma. Garlic is quite mild.

Therefore, it works well in a number of recipes. You can easily find garlic at any home. It is an everyday ingredient that finishes once in a blue moon.

Therefore, you can almost always find it. Garlic is pretty great for our body’s well-being. It would be best to make them a regular part of your life. Try this substitute in soups, sauces, and salad dressings.

Nutrition content of Garlic:

Frequently Asked Questions