Ramps Pesto Food

RAMPS PESTO

Steps:

• Cut the greens off of the ramps.
• Dice the bulbs into ¼-inch pieces.
• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Have a bowl of ice water next to the stove. Drop the greens into the boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. Lift the greens out of the water with a strainer and plunge them immediately into the ice water. Drain and squeeze dry. If they are still moist, roll them up into a kitchen towel and twist the ends tightly to squeeze out all of the excess moisture.
• Coarsely chop the greens and set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a small sauté pan over medium heat.
• Add the ramp bulbs, ¼ teaspoon of the salt and the pepper.
• Stir together and cook until the bulbs are tender, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Place the ramp greens and bulbs in the bowl of a food processor.
• Pulse a few times to chop them together, then process continuously for 1 minute.
• Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Process for 1 more minutes, or until the ramp mixture is very finely chopped.
• Add the pine nuts, Parmesan, remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, remaining ½ teaspoon salt and lemon juice and process until smooth.
• Taste for seasoning, adding more salt and/or lemon juice as needed.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

PASTA WITH RAMP PESTO AND GUANCIALE RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-low. Cook guanciale, tossing often, until browned and crisp, 10-15 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl with a slotted spoon. Pour off all but 2 Tbsp. fat from skillet.
• Add ramp bulbs to skillet; season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent and tender, about 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, blanch ramp greens in a large pot of boiling salted water until wilted, about 10 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl of ice water (save pot of water). Drain, squeeze out excess liquid, and coarsely chop.
• Purée ramp greens, ramp bulbs, half of pistachios, and remaining 2/3 cup oil in a food processor until very finely chopped. Add 1/2 cup Parmesan and process until pesto is almost smooth. Pulse in a little more oil if sauce is too thick; season with salt and pepper.
• Return reserved pot of water to a boil; cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente; drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
• Mix pesto, 1/4 cup pasta water, and butter in a large bowl. Using tongs, transfer pasta to bowl and add guanciale; toss vigorously, adding more cooking liquid as needed until pasta is glossy and well coated with sauce. Taste and add more salt if needed.
• Divide pasta among bowls. Top with more Parmesan and remaining pistachios.
• Pesto can be made 2 days ahead. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly onto surface, and chill.

RAMP PESTO

Steps:

• Pulse ramps in a food processor until finely chopped. With motor running, pour in oil. Season generously with salt and pepper. To store, transfer pesto to an airtight container, pour a thin layer of oil over top, and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

RAMP PESTO SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Blanch greens from 4 ounces ramps (about a fistful) in a large pot of boiling salted water until wilted, about 10 seconds. Let cool in ice water; drain and squeeze out liquid. Return pot of water to a boil and cook 12 ounces spaghetti, stirring occasionally, until al dente; drain, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, coarsely chop 2 ramp bulbs and stalks (save or pickle the rest) and 1/4 cup toasted walnuts in a food processor. Add ramp greens, 1/3 cup olive oil, and 2 tablespoons grated Pecorino; process to a coarse paste. Season with salt.
• Toss spaghetti and 1/2 cup cooking liquid with pesto, adding more cooking liquid as needed until pesto coats pasta. Serve topped with more Pecorino and with lemon wedges.

EASY RAMP PESTO

Steps:

• Combine ramp leaves, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor. Process until finely chopped. With the food processor running, add olive oil and process everything until smooth. Transfer mixture to a bowl and mix in grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt to taste.