Q: I’ve been looking for ramps and can’t find any. Do you know where I can find some?

Tom: The very short ramp season is just about over, but this year was especially hard to acquire the prized ingredient. Known for their garliky-onion flavor, ramps are a foraged, not farmed, product, mostly found in the mountain area of the state. According to Matt Martin and Erin Bradley of Freshlist, Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on their habitats. “The root quality wasn’t there,” Bradley says. Responsible foragers decided to let most of the plants be and hope for better luck next year. At most, only a few leaves were harvested leaving the roots in place. “Let it sit,” Martin says. On a happier note, garlic scapes should start appearing at farmers markets in a few weeks.

Q:  Any thoughts about last-minute Mother’s Day gifts for a food-lovin’ mama?
Tom: Certainly! My mom was a chocolate lover par excellence. If your mom is the same, nice chocolates are always a great go-to. So a trip to The Secret Chocolatier​ in Cotwold, Potts Chocolate in Uptown, or Chocolatier Barrucand​ in Concord is in order. On the more savory side, Mano Bella Bistro & Market in SouthPark can create a delicious food basket with all sorts of Italian goodies. If she’s a cookbook lover, these books by N.C. chefs are worth adding to her library: Bruce Moffett Cooks by Bruce Moffett Deep Run Roots by Vivian Howard, Thoughtful Cooking by William Dissen, and any one (or more) of the Savor the South series — a comprehensive collection of 25 books, published by The University of North Carolina Press. Also check out these cookbooks recommended by some of Charlotte’s leading chefs. And don’t overlook our recommendations of where to take mom out to eat on her special day.

Have a question for us? Email us at editor@unpretentiouspalate.com and we’ll answer it on our next Concierge Thursday!