Help me out here. I purchased this unknown veggie at an Asian food store. I had very high hopes that I had discovered and found the vegetable – ramps – which I have been looking all over for. The only sign was written in Chinese and when I attempted to communicate with those who worked there, an older woman guessed it was chives. These don’t look like chives to me. I’m growing chives in a few pots on my deck and they are thin and tubular. These are much thicker and wider on the top.
To prepare what I thought might be ramps, I quickly blanched them and added a home made roasted red pepper sauce. But then we tasted it and it was weird. Exactly like eating grass. I ate one bite and was done. It did have an oniony garlicky taste but the consistency was not good. Any ideas? I had ramps, granted they were prepared at a restaurant, but they were delicious and did not resemble grass in the least. Let me know if you have any thoughts on this mystery vegetable. Until I find a well labeled bin for ramps, I’m going to restrain my search for fear of eating some other grassy-like vegetable.
no, those do not look like ramps. not sure what those are. sorry! you can see what ramps look like on my blog. http://woundedchef.blogspot.com/2008/04/ramps-two-ways.html
Actually I think they are Chinese Chives. I had looked for them after buying a new wok.
They are mentioned in one of my all time favorite cookbooks, The Breath of the Wok by Grace Young and Alan Richardson. I have a lot of cookbooks and have gotten rid of that many more poor ones but this one I consider a treasure.
It was in fact, from that book, that we found the Wok Shop in San Francisco where we bought the new wok and spent a half day in the tiny shop.
Verde — You are right! I think these are Chinese chives. That’s why the older woman in the Asian market said they were chives. Thanks for solving that mystery.
I have them in my herb garden, and I’ve heard them called garlic chives. At times, they have a very pungent garlic flavor. Good luck locating ramps! I never find them either.
Possibly scallions?
Hi, I am sure this is shallot (eschalot)
also called green onions. good cut up fresh and added to a salad
Garlic Chives is my vote.
Chop it up into pieces and stir fry fry with prawns,onion and ginger adding indian spices. Or u can make pancake with it.