Ramp-mania is Real and It is Taking Brooklyn By Storm
(Courtesy of The Vanderbilt)
For the sausage:
1 pack of natural hog casings from your butcher shop
5 pounds ground pork shoulder
2 pounds fresh ramps
1 tablespoon fresh grated garlic
7 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2 tablespoons dry mustard powder
1/2 cup non-fat dry milk powder
1 cup crushed ice
For the slaw:
1 cup sliced pickled ramp bulbs with 1/2 cup reserved pickling liquid
1 cup fresh sugar snap peas, strings removed and sliced thinly on a bias
2 cups shredded green cabbage
1/2 cups shredded red cabbage
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon spicy brown deli mustard
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
For the pickled ramps:
The reserved ramp bulbs from making the sausage
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cups kosher salt
3 pieces black peppercorns
3 pieces whole coriander
1 clove garlic
Wash the ramps and separate the greens from the white bulbs, reserve the bulbs for the slaw. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, plunge the ramp greens inside and stir for 10 seconds, then remove and chill quickly under cold running water. Squeeze as much water out of the greens as you can, then chop roughly and add them to the pork. Add the spices, garlic, milk powder, and ice and mix by hand until the spices are well integrated and the ice is absorbed by the meat. The mixture should be firmly held together and sticky to the touch. Allow the sausage to rest in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours, then stuff into the casings and twist into 4 inch sausage links. From here you can either grill, smoke, or poach the sausages depending on your taste.
In a large bowl toss the cabbage, snap peas, and salt together. Let sit for 20 minutes in a colander over your sink, this will draw out excess moisture from the cabbage. Return the cabbage and peas to the bowl, and dress with the mayonnaise mustard, parsley, the pickled ramps and their liquid. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and additional pickling liquid if desired.
Except for the ramps, bring all of the ingredients for the pickled ramps to a boil. Pour over the ramp bulbs, and refrigerate overnight. Remove the peppercorns, coriander, and garlic clove in the morning.