Ramp and Lion's Mane Mushroom Pasta

Depending on where you live its the start of farmers market season. I recently visited a newer market in Pfafftown NC and got some Ramps from a farmer that had driven 2 hours to his friends land to forage for ramps a spring wild leek often found in woodland. They look and taste similar to Scottish wild garlic and I remember having the best wild garlic and oil to dip bread into on our trip to Ireland last summer. The restaurant staff told us they also foraged for it in a local woodland area. Farmers are a wonderful bunch, passionate and hard working and are happy to share tips for their produce. I am proud to call myself one, after now farming on our little property in Yadkin County for 2 years. 

You can see more and learn about what I do on Facebook and Instagram.   On Ladybird farm I have built up a little business selling edible flowers, small amounts of produce and eggs on occasion and a few bouquets of cut flowers. Doing this and the joy it has brought has lead us to make the decision to move to a property with 7 acres and combine the farm and the house. 

We have sold the farm which its really emotional for me. I have loved the countryside, learning about farming and growing from neigbbors there and rural issues. The kids played and rode their bikes and we have chickens sadly until we move I don't have anywhere for them so we are giving to the new owner, thats hard. But we will probably will get more. I have learned how to grow on a small scale, market, harvest then sell and deliver to chefs, restaurants and bakeries.

Being honest though I couldn't pay all the bills with it, but I am able to pay some. It is however so rewarding and has potential to grow and I can fit it in around the kids. I plan to get bees and continue the farming adventure, please follow along and join in the banter. 

Now back to the recipe and indeed the magic of markets, knowing the folks who grow the food and supporting your local farmers and artisan's as many markets also have bee keepers, coffee roasters, bakers and more, and believe me they need it. 

While shopping we noticed that another farmer had a really cool mushroom with a soft texture called lions mane, pretty cool name also. 

For this recipe I just let the simplicity of the in season ingredients shine. 

Ingredients:

• 5 lions mane mushrooms or any other mushroom sliced
• a knob of butter
• 3 cloves of garlic sliced
• one bunch of ramps diced
• a dash of white wine
• salt and pepper to taste 
• grated parmesan 

Method:

1. heat the butter, add the garlic mushrooms, ramps and wine and sauté until cooked about 7-10 minutes.
2. meanwhile boil a pasta of your choice. 
3. then add the pasta with a little of the cooking water to the ramps and mushrooms, salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with grated parmesan. 
4. I topped this with my homegrown greens.

Our land (well not for much longer) in Yadkin County NC such a beautiful and peaceful setting.

my edible flowers. 

What new vegetable have you tried at your local farmers market lately?