This recipe offers a simple way to make ramp butter. This ramp butter will add a burst of garlicky flavor to your dishes, especially when used as a topping for steaks or other savory foods.

What are ramps and how can I use them?

Ramps, native to North America, are a wild allium that is a mix between leeks and green onions. They pack a punch of garlicky flavor that is accompanied by a subtle onion undertone.

Ramps can be used in a variety of ways to add a garlicky punch to a dish. My favorite way to use ramps is to create a compound butter that blends ramps and a hint of lemon. The butter works well on top of steaks or in a baked potato.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Makes: 8 OZ of Ramp Butter

Ingredients

• ½ pound of ramps
• 2 sticks of butter (8 OZ) at room temperature
• 2 tbsp of lemon juice
• 1 tbsp of salt
• 1 tsp of lemon zest

Instructions

Start by filling a pot with water and bringing it to a boil.

Clean your ramps under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. If your ramps have roots, trim off the base and discard or plant them in your garden.

Once the water is boiling, it's time to blanch the ramps. Blanching involves briefly immersing the vegetables in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then quickly transferring them to ice water to stop the cooking process.

Before placing the ramps in the boiling water, prepare a large bowl of ice water. Carefully add the ramps to the boiling water and let them cook for 30 seconds. Immediately transfer them to the ice water bath for another 30 seconds. Once done, remove the ramps from the ice water and gently squeeze out any excess water.

Lay the blanched ramps on a paper towel and lightly press them to remove any remaining moisture. Then, roughly chop the dried ramps and set them aside.

Now, it's time to prepare the ramp butter. In a blender, combine 2 sticks of butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and the chopped ramps. Blend until the mixture is well combined and the butter takes on a light green color.

Transfer the ramp butter from the blender and use it to top your steaks, adding a delightful earthy flavor to your dish. Enjoy!