Why? Because you can! And pickle, and jam, or otherwise celebrate the resurgence of the domestic arts our forebears held so dear. Put on your best apron and step into our kitchen, won't you?
Foraging for ramps in New Jersey and four great methods for preserving your stash: Pickled ramps, ramp pesto, ramp compound butter, and blanching and freezing ramps.
Ramps were highly prized by the American Indians in part because of their high vitamin content and blood-cleansing properties. They boiled them, fried them, and dried them for winter to use. Me, I'm going to pickle them!
Pickling is a great way to preserve ramps, the wild spring onions that overflow at the market for a few weeks each spring. Their garlicky flavor combined with a vinegar kick adds a bright punch to all sorts of dishes.
Ramp season is upon us, and this is one of the finest ways to preserve the bounty - an elegant, sweet-sour pickle flavored with saffron. These are as good as they look!
