Yes, you can eat green onions after they bolt.
Bolting is when a plant prematurely flowers and produces seeds. While it can affect the taste and texture, bolted green onions are still edible.
What Happens When Green Onions Bolt?
When green onions bolt, they redirect their energy from growing the leaves and bulb to producing a flower stalk. This can lead to a few changes:
- Taste: The green onions may develop a slightly stronger, sometimes more bitter, flavor.
- Texture: The leaves can become tougher.
- Appearance: A flower stalk will emerge from the center of the plant.
Can You Still Eat Them?
According to the provided reference, even after bolting, "you can still eat bolted onions – they may be a little on the small side but they're just as delicious as fully grown veg."
Here’s what to consider:
- Harvest Promptly: Harvest bolted green onions as soon as you notice the bolting. This helps to preserve their flavor and texture.
- Taste Test: Before using a large quantity, taste a small piece to ensure the flavor is acceptable to you.
- Preparation: You might want to cook bolted green onions rather than eating them raw, as cooking can mellow the stronger flavor. You can also remove the toughest outer layers.
- Use in Cooking: Bolted green onions are great in soups, stews, stir-fries, and other cooked dishes.
Managing Bolting
While you can eat bolted green onions, preventing bolting in the first place is ideal.
- Plant at the Right Time: Plant green onions at the appropriate time of year for your climate.
- Provide Consistent Watering: Inconsistent watering can stress plants and trigger bolting.
- Choose Bolt-Resistant Varieties: Some varieties of green onions are less prone to bolting.
