Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Roy Bham UK on August 15, 2005, 13:53:48

Title: When can we eat Onions?
Post by: Roy Bham UK on August 15, 2005, 13:53:48
:) A friend helped himself to some of my large onions, I said "They're not quite ready yet for consumption, the leaves have to keel over and die off and I assume the outer skin has to brown off too" The next day he told me he and his wife ate the onions and they were delish. ;D

Can anyone explain why we have to leave the onions to die off as my friend and his wife are still with us? ;D
Title: Re: When can we eat Onions?
Post by: wardy on August 15, 2005, 14:03:36
I've eaten some of my onions which weren't ready and they are quite green and have milky watery fluid inside.  They are quite soft too.  No harm will come to you if you eat them but they're just not ripe as it were  :)  Much better when they're ready and have been dried off til the skins are like crinkly autumn leaves
Title: Re: When can we eat Onions?
Post by: tim on August 15, 2005, 18:53:41
What nonsense, Roy!

You can eat them from the spring onion stage if you're desperate - but, for storage, they must ripen.
Title: Re: When can we eat Onions?
Post by: Roy Bham UK on August 15, 2005, 22:55:15
 ;D Thanks Guys ;D well we live and learn ::) won't need to ask that silly question again then ;D
Title: Re: When can we eat Onions?
Post by: tim on August 16, 2005, 06:44:41
I meant, of course, the nonsense your 'friend' gave you.
Title: Re: When can we eat Onions?
Post by: Macca on August 16, 2005, 09:32:34
can you eat the foliage when green as well
Title: Re: When can we eat Onions?
Post by: tim on August 16, 2005, 10:49:50
If very young, but otherwise not very gourmet!

Spring onions - of course.
Title: Re: When can we eat Onions?
Post by: terrace max on August 16, 2005, 11:11:56
Quote from: Macca on August 16, 2005, 09:32:34
can you eat the foliage when green as well

I use the (unwilted but mature) leaves to make vegetable stock...saves on onions!
Title: Re: When can we eat Onions?
Post by: tim on August 16, 2005, 11:17:47
Good thinking?