Manhattans Make Way for Martinis

I actually sat down to write this week's post without a glass in hand. I thought, 'My goodness I'm just too tired to fix myself a cocktail.' Ha! That was silly. What's a blog post without a good cocktail?

Pickled Ramp Martini (Photo by A)
And, I need to finish up the pickled ramps in my cupboard because this year's season has already begun.

Of course, the idea with pickling last year was that I could enjoy tasty ramp martinis in any season. As it turns out, even my ramp obsession has limits. And, martinis in general make way for Manhattans when fall comes around.

Nonetheless, I was elated to see a giant stack of ramps on one forager's table at the Union Square Greenmarket last week. This delightful find was followed by an asparagus discovery a few days later.

You have no idea how happy this time of year makes me... Or, maybe you do. I've posted no less than 13 times about ramps since UG launched. (For some crazy reason, one of them: "Spring, You Temptress, Lift Up Your Dress and Show Me those Ramps" is the most visited post on UG. Sadly, I suspect that this is somehow a result of porn-related Google searches and not ramp fanatics who share my appreciation for spring greens.)

Well, this time I will spare you the long-winded ode. My newest ramp-related quest is to find the perfect pickling recipe. I plan try David Chang's in the next few weeks. I recall enjoying his pickled ramp martini at Ssäm Bar last winter. The recipe may seem daunting, but this is New York! I should be able to get my hands on some shichimi togarashi even if I can't pronounce it!

Perhaps if I send a note to Dan Barber and ask real nice, he'll share his pickled ramp recipe. It was, after all, the pickled ramp martini I had at Blue Hill at Stone Barns that led to the creation of Urban Gastronomy.

They are just so tasty! Tonight, however, I can only have one. The gin bottle is almost empty because HA, Mrs. O and I partied it up with A who was visiting from the far-off land of Denver on Friday night. Ramp martinis and maple Manhattans led to a seasonally confusing but ultimately delicious evening!

Until next time, my friends. If you haven't yet managed to try out a few ramps, get your hands on some quick before the season flies by! Or, better yet, stay tuned for details on the UG party, which will hopefully be coming up soon!

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