Green onions or scallions are less intense than onions, but they’re a great addition to any savory dish because they’re sweeter and less pungent than regular onions. Detailed below are tips on how to differentiate scallions and spring onions, how to grow green onions and tasty recipes to try!

What are green onions?

Green onions, also called scallions, have a less intense taste than regular onions. They’re either harvested very young from regular bulb-forming onions or they can come from other varieties that never form bulbs.

Scallions are long and they have a white stem end that doesn’t bulge out. The white parts of scallions are the most flavorful.

You can use scallions raw or cooked. Don’t discard the darker green tops: In Asian cuisine, whole scallions can be eaten.

While spring onions look similar to scallions, the former have small onion bulbs at the base. Spring onions come from the varietals that produce bulbs and are more mature versions of scallions.

Spring onions are planted as seedlings in the late fall and harvested the next spring. Compared to regular onions, spring onions are sweeter and mellower.

However, spring onion greens are more intense in flavor than scallions. Spring onion bulbs can be red or white, depending on the varietal. They can be prepared like regular bulb onions, but spring onion bulbs taste better grilled, roasted whole, or used like pearl onions.

Health benefits of green onions

Scallions combine the health benefits of regular onions and leafy greens like spinach. Green onions are rich in vitamin K and a medium-sized green onion provides 34 percent of adequate intake for women.

Scallions are also chock-full vitamins A and C and folate.

Here are some of the other health benefits of green onions:

• They help reduce cancer risk. Green onions belong to the Allium family like chives, garlic and leeks. Research has shown that certain compounds in alliums can help prevent cancer. Findings have found a link between the consumption of alliums and lower risk for colorectal, endometrial, gastric, lung, myeloma and prostate cancer.
• They boost bone health. Consuming three medium-sized green onions provides your daily dose of vitamin K. This vitamin is needed for blood clotting and bone health. Studies suggest that consuming onions can help lower your risk of developing osteoporosis.
• They help reduces obesity and conditions linked to unhealthy weight gain. Scientists continue to study the various antioxidants and bioactive compounds in onions and results show that they can help prevent obesity and related conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.

How to grow green onions

You can grow green onions in your home garden or even in containers in your kitchen! Green onions are a versatile ingredient and you can use them in salads, soups, rice-based dishes, or chicken and fish recipes.

Follow the steps below to grow scallions at home:

1. Fill a pot to 2/3 with compost or soil suitable for growing green onions.
2. Plant small onion bulbs about 2/3 inches (2 cm) into the soil.
3. Leave 1-2 inches or 3-5 cm distance when planting the onion bulbs so they have room to grow.
4. Cover the onion bulbs with soil, then water to cover all the soil in the container.
5. Grow green onions at a mild temperature between 50 to 77 F (10 to 25 C) in a sunny spot. Keep soil moist most of the time to speed up the growing process.
6. You can harvest the scallions when they are at least 10 inches (25 cm) tall.

Tasty green onion recipes

The recipes below highlight the sweet, oniony flavor of green onions.

Grilled skirt steak with red peppers and scallions

This recipe pairs juicy steak with scallions and other veggies.

Ingredients for 6 servings:

• 1 beef skirt steak (1-1/2 pounds), cut into 5-inch pieces
• 2 medium red onions, cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 2 medium sweet red peppers, halved
• 12 green onions, trimmed
• 1 cup of olive oil
• 1/2 cup of apple juice
• 1/2 cup of red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup of onions, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons of rubbed sage
• 3 teaspoons of freshly ground pepper
• 3 teaspoons of ground coriander
• 3 teaspoons of ground mustard
• A teaspoon of salt
• A garlic clove, minced

Preparation:

1. In a small bowl, whisk the apple juice, red wine vinegar, onion, sage, coriander, mustard, ground pepper, salt and garlic until blended. Gradually whisk in the olive oil.
2. Pour a cup and half of marinade into a large resealable plastic bag. Add the beef, then seal the bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate the beef overnight. Cover and refrigerate the remaining marinade.
3. In a large bowl, toss the remaining vegetables with 1/4 cup of the extra marinade.
4. Grill the red onions and peppers, covered, over medium heat for four to six minutes on each side or until tender.
5. Grill the green onions for one to two minutes on each side or until tender.
6. Drain the beef and discard the marinade in the bag. Grill the beef in a covered pan over medium heat for four to six minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness. Baste the beef with the remaining marinade during the last four minutes of cooking.
7. Let the steak stand for five minutes.
8. Chop the vegetables into bite-size pieces and transfer to a large bowl.
9. Cut the steak diagonally across the grain into thin slices and add to the vegetables. Toss to combine before serving.

Veggie shrimp pancakes with green onions

This recipe makes savory veggie shrimp pancakes that are perfect as appetizers.

Ingredients (makes about 24 pancakes):

• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 medium sweet red pepper, finely chopped
• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, cooked and halved lengthwise (31-40 per pound)
• 2 large eggs
• 6 green onions, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 cup of water
• 2 teaspoons of toasted sesame oil
• 3/4 teaspoon of salt
• Wasabi mayonnaise, Sriracha chili sauce, or fresh cilantro leaves (Optional sauces)

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, mash the garlic with the salt. Beat in eggs, water and oil.
2. Whisk the flour into the mixture until blended. Stir in the green onions and pepper.
3. Lightly grease a griddle heat over medium heat. Pour the batter by tablespoonfuls onto the griddle. Cook the pancakes until the edges are dry and the bottoms are a light golden brown. Turn and cook the pancakes until the other side is golden brown.
4. Arrange the pancakes on a serving platter then top each with a shrimp half.

Easy onion tart

This tart recipe is a delicious treat for allium fans because it uses sweet onions and scallions!

Ingredients for 6 servings:

• 1 unbaked pastry shell (9 inches)
• 2 medium sweet onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup of half-and-half cream
• 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup of whole milk
• 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 6 green onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons of minced chives
• 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of coarsely ground pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon of hot pepper sauce

Preparation:

1. Line the unpricked pastry shell with a double layer of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 450 F for eight minutes. Remove the foil then bake again for five minutes. Cool the pastry shell on a wire rack.
2. In a small skillet, saute the onions in oil until tender then set aside to cool.
3. In a food processor, combine the eggs, feta cheese, salt, pepper, nutmeg and hot pepper sauce. Process until smooth. Gradually add the cream and milk, then continue to process until blended.
4. Brush the inside of the crust with the mustard.
5. Sprinkle the green onions, chives and sauteed onions over the crust. Carefully pour the egg mixture over the onions, then top with Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake at 375 F for 30 to 40 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Visit HomeGardeningNews.com for more articles with tips on how to grow other superfoods like green onions!

Sources:

HomemadeMastery.com

TheKitchn.com

VeryWellFit.com

TasteOfHome.com 1

TasteOfHome.com 2

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