Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seed
  • 2 pieces dried red chili peppers
  • 1/2 pound ramp bulbs (with stems)

Method

  • Wash the ramp bulbs very well, discarding any loose membrane around the bulb. Make sure the leaves and any root material is trimmed away.
  • Mix sugar, vinegar, mustard, fennel, coriander, fenugreek, chilies and cloves in a suitably sized pot. Bring to a boil.
  • Meanwhile, put the ramp bulbs into a clean, sanitized glass quart jar.
  • When the brine comes to a boil, carefully pour it into the jar, covering the ramps. Leave at least 1 inch of space at the top of the jar, then cap tightly, allow to cool and refrigerate for three or more days.
  • After three days, your ramps should be ready to enjoy on their own or as a condiment, but you can brine them for longer, and they'll keep (chilled) for months.