Ramp Pesto (Wild Garlic Pesto)

Experience the Fresh Taste of Spring with this Ramp Pesto (Wild Garlic Pesto) Recipe

Ramp Pesto (or Wild Garlic Pesto in the UK) is a springtime favorite sauce that can be added to pasta, soups, and salads.

During the spring, when the ramp is in season, the best way to use them is to turn them into pesto.

Jump to:

• What are Ramps?
• Why Ramps are Perfect for Pesto?
• Why This Recipe Works?
• Ingredients You'll Need
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Top Tips From the Chef
• What to do with Ramp Pesto?
• Recipe FAQs
• Related Recipes
• Ramp Pesto - Wild Garlic Pesto Recipe

This super tasty sauce keeps well in the fridge for two weeks and also freezes beautifully.

Wild garlic (also known as ramps) is abundant in North America and Europe between March and June, and it typically grows in wooded areas and near riverbanks.

The leaves appear in March and start flowering in April. 

To ensure the future growth of ramp plants, it's essential to avoid pulling the entire plant with the root attached.

Instead, cut the leaves at the base of the plant so that it can regrow in the coming years.

What are Ramps?

Ramps, also known as wild leeks or wild garlic, are a type of wild onion that grows in the early spring.

They have long, bright green leaves, and pretty little white flower buds and have quite a pungent, strong, garlic smell.

The bulbs are small and white, with a distinctive garlicky and pungent aroma, with a hint of sweetness.

Ramps are often found growing in wooded areas or near streams, and they are a popular foraging ingredient in many parts of the world.

Why Ramps are Perfect for Pesto?

Pesto is a classic Italian sauce made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.

While this traditional recipe is delicious, it can also be a bit predictable. That's where ramps (wild garlic) come in.

By substituting ramps for the traditional garlic in pesto, you can create a unique and flavorful sauce that is perfect for spring.

Ramps have a slightly milder flavor than traditional garlic, but it still packs a punch.

When combined with fresh basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese, it creates a pesto that is both bold and bright.

Why This Recipe Works?

• Ramp (or Wild Garlic) Pesto is super versatile: you can stir it through this delicious Pasta with Green Sauce, use it as a pizza sauce, or mix it with some mayo to make sandwiches.

• It is easy to make this sauce in just 15 minutes with minimum preparation.

• This Wild Garlic Pesto is incredibly tasty and can be used with almost everything.

• You can store it in the fridge for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 months!

• If you don't have pine nuts, you can use walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, almonds, macadamias, and pumpkin seeds for this Ramps Pesto Recipe.

• This recipe is vegetarian but you can easily make it vegan by substituting the parmesan cheese for a vegan alternative. 

Ingredients You'll Need

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

• Ramp - Wild Garlic - You can forage wild garlic between March and early summer. However, if you don't have the opportunity to do so, you can buy them from the farmers' market or use the veg box scheme that provides them. Alternatively, you can substitute it with rocket leaves or basil and add a couple of fresh garlic cloves.

• Pinenuts - It is traditional to use pinenuts for pesto but you can use any nuts you have such as walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts. Lightly toast them before adding them to pesto for a more intense flavor.

• Parmesan - Use block parmesan for making pesto. You can substitute it with pecorino romano or grana padano cheese.

• Olive oil - I use good quality extra virgin olive oil for my pesto as it makes a huge difference in taste.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This Ramp - Wild Garlic Pesto Recipe is straightforward and only takes ten minutes.

However, to achieve the best results, you need to follow a few simple steps:

Carefully wash the ramp leaves, making sure to remove any soil or dirt.

Dry them using a salad spinner.

Place the leaves, pinenuts, parmesan cheese, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a food processor.

Blitz it while adding the olive oil slowly at the same time, until it becomes smooth.

Taste the seasoning and adjust it to your taste.

Place the Ramps Pesto in a jar or an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Top Tips From the Chef

• If you want to forage ramps for the first time, check it from a pocket guidebook before picking anything. The biggest clue is the smell. It may look similar to wild garlic. Don't eat it if it doesn’t smell like garlic.

• Never pick leaves next to busy roads or lanes, or low down, where dogs are regularly walked.

• Carefully wash the wild garlic leaves, making sure to remove any soil or dirt.

• Lightly toast the pine nuts before adding them to the pesto for a more intense flavor.

What to do with Ramp Pesto?

Ramp Pesto is a versatile sauce and there are many different ways to use it to add flavor to your meals. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Toss with pasta: Ramp pesto makes a delicious sauce for pasta dishes. Simply cook your favorite pasta according to the package directions, then toss it with a generous spoonful of ramp pesto. Check out these delicious Salmon Spinach Pasta and Orzo Pasta Salad recipes for more inspiration.

• Spread on toast: Ramp pesto is a perfect topping for toast or crostini, or adding to sandwiches such as Chicken Parmesan Sandwich.

• Make garlic bread: You can also use ramp pesto to make garlic bread, such as with this delicious Pitka (Bulgarian Christmas Bread) recipe.

• Mix into scrambled eggs: Ramp pesto can add a burst of flavor to your morning eggs such as Menemen - Turkish Scrambled Eggs. Simply mix a spoonful of pesto into your Menemen before cooking them.

• Top grilled meats or vegetables: Ramp pesto makes a delicious topping for grilled meats or veggies. Try it on grilled chicken, fish, or tofu, or drizzle it over grilled asparagus, zucchini, or eggplant.

Recipe FAQs

Related Recipes

For other delicious sauce and dip recipes why not try:

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

I hope you enjoy the process of making this delicious Ramp Pesto (Wild Garlic Pesto) Recipe as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂 

Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!

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