Un’bear’ably delicious

One of the first real signs of spring can be found in the markets. It is not the random bear walking by as they emerge from winter’s hibernation (are there even bears in Hungary?), but instead bunches of ‘bear garlic’ — medvehagyma — which now sit in the grocer’s herb collection. At first I didn’t really know how to use them but after some short googling I found a great way to incorporate these tasty greens into the day’s, or evening’s, meal. The following recipe for a medvehagyma frittata can be modified to fit most tastes. Feel free to play around with it.

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch medvehagyma, trimmed, stalks sliced and greens chopped (save some greens for garnish)
  • 1 small shallot, minced
  • 5g (1/4 cup) fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, tarragon), roughly chopped
  • 5 fresh eggs
  • 125g (½ cup) Greek yogurt
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Pre-heat oven to 175 c°
  • In a medium bowl, mix eggs with chopped herbs, yogurt, salt and pepper. Let the mixture sit for 15-30 minutes.
  • In an oven-proof skillet, heat olive oil over a medium heat. Make sure to coat sides with oil to avoid sticking later on.
  • Add medvehagyma stalks and shallots. Cook for 5 minutes. Add ramp greens and cook until wilted — about 2 minutes.
  • Add the egg-herb mixture to the skillet, turn down the heat to medium low. Let the eggs slightly set, until the sides are solid but the top is just a little jiggly.
  • Transfer the skillet to the pre-heated oven and bake for 7-10 minutes.  Eggs should be set and fluffy.
  • Transfer to plate.

 

Cut into slices and enjoy!

 

Did You Know?

  • Everyone knows bears love honey but due their love of these garlicky treats are known as Allium ursinum in Latin. This is due to the brown bear’s taste for the bulbs and its habit of digging up the ground to get at them. I guess Pooh wouldn’t have as many problems if he just stuck to these instead of honey.
  • Allium tricoccum, or ramps, are the North American cousin of the European Ramsons.
  • Ramsons is considered as a pest by most dairy farms. Milking farm animals are not allowed to feed on Ramsons as it can taint the taste of their milk.
  • Just like the regular garlic, Ramsons is known to have antifungal and antibacterial properties. Ramsons can be used in fungal infections and various kinds of skin problems.
  • Ramsons is full of iron and vitamin C.
  • The Italian word ‘frittata’ derives from ‘friggere’ and roughly means ‘fried’ in Italian.
  • Frittata is basically an Italian open-faced omelet.