It's Leek Time
From the US Forest Service:
Snow banks are receding, the afternoon sun warms the air, and the green leaves of leeks are peeking from the earth where the snow just melted. The arrival of leeks (Allium sp.), or “ramps” as they are sometimes called, signal spring.
“Is it legal or not to dig leeks on the Allegheny National Forest (NF)?” This is one of the questions frequently asked by the public in the springtime. According to Forest Service Law Enforcement, leeks may be legally picked without a permit for personal consumption on most lands within the Allegheny NF. Personal consumption means picking what you will use for yourself and your family. “…legally picked without a permit” is called ‘Incidental Free Use Without a Permit’.
Persons picking leeks for personal consumption may not sell or exchange any portion of the leek plant. If you pick leeks under ‘Use Without a Permit’, then exercise reasonable care to sustain leeks into the future for your grandchildren to pick. You can help do this by:
· Prevent damage to other plants or the soil;
· Only harvest leeks in season – early spring;
· Never harvest more than 1/3 of leeks in an area;
· Use the smallest tool to harvest the leeks so as to minimize soil disturbance or uprooting of other plants;
· Place rocks, soil, leaves, back in the place you found them.
You are not allowed to pick leeks, even for personal consumption, on a few areas of the Allegheny NF. These areas include the Hickory Creek and Allegheny River Island Wilderness, the two wilderness study areas surrounding Minister Creek in Warren County and Indian Run in McKean County, the Buckaloons Heritage Area in Warren County, the Hearts Content National Scenic Area in Warren County, and the Tionesta Research Natural Area and Tionesta National Scenic Area in McKean and Warren Counties. Collection is prohibited in these management areas to conserve the resource values for which they were designated under the Allegheny NF Land and Resource Management Plan.
Leeks are found in wet woods and stream banks in early spring. The leaves, stems, and bulbs of the leek plant are all edible, and many people find their robust, onion-like flavor a marvelous addition to cheese, soups, stews, pies, and dips. It has even been suggested that they can be used for medicinal purposes as a tonic to fight colds. Chop leaves into chicken soup to make an old fashioned remedy even more potent.
Leek Dip
One 16 ounce container of sour cream
One package of cream cheese, softened at room temperature
One teaspoon of garlic (if desired)
Ten to twelve leeks, chopped fine
Parsley, to suit taste
Mix all ingredients well and let refrigerate over night.
Snow banks are receding, the afternoon sun warms the air, and the green leaves of leeks are peeking from the earth where the snow just melted. The arrival of leeks (Allium sp.), or “ramps” as they are sometimes called, signal spring. “Is it legal or not to dig leeks on the Allegheny National Forest (NF)?” This is one of the questions frequently asked by the public in the springtime. According to Forest Service Law Enforcement, leeks may be legally picked without a permit for personal consumption on most lands within the Allegheny NF. Personal consumption means picking what you will use for yourself and your family. “…legally picked without a permit” is called ‘Incidental Free Use Without a Permit’.
Persons picking leeks for personal consumption may not sell or exchange any portion of the leek plant. If you pick leeks under ‘Use Without a Permit’, then exercise reasonable care to sustain leeks into the future for your grandchildren to pick. You can help do this by:
· Prevent damage to other plants or the soil;
· Only harvest leeks in season – early spring;
· Never harvest more than 1/3 of leeks in an area;
· Use the smallest tool to harvest the leeks so as to minimize soil disturbance or uprooting of other plants;
· Place rocks, soil, leaves, back in the place you found them.
You are not allowed to pick leeks, even for personal consumption, on a few areas of the Allegheny NF. These areas include the Hickory Creek and Allegheny River Island Wilderness, the two wilderness study areas surrounding Minister Creek in Warren County and Indian Run in McKean County, the Buckaloons Heritage Area in Warren County, the Hearts Content National Scenic Area in Warren County, and the Tionesta Research Natural Area and Tionesta National Scenic Area in McKean and Warren Counties. Collection is prohibited in these management areas to conserve the resource values for which they were designated under the Allegheny NF Land and Resource Management Plan.
Leeks are found in wet woods and stream banks in early spring. The leaves, stems, and bulbs of the leek plant are all edible, and many people find their robust, onion-like flavor a marvelous addition to cheese, soups, stews, pies, and dips. It has even been suggested that they can be used for medicinal purposes as a tonic to fight colds. Chop leaves into chicken soup to make an old fashioned remedy even more potent.
Leek Dip
One 16 ounce container of sour cream
One package of cream cheese, softened at room temperature
One teaspoon of garlic (if desired)
Ten to twelve leeks, chopped fine
Parsley, to suit taste
Mix all ingredients well and let refrigerate over night.
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