chives, garlic

a.k.a.  Chinese chives, cuchay
latin name: allium tuberosum

zone:  3-9
type: perennial
light: full sun or partial shade
height: 12-16” (30-40 cm)

description:  Hardy perennial.  Clusters of white, star-shaped flowers appear in summer.  The mid-green leaves are flat, solid, thin, and have a mild, sweet, garlic flavour.  

harvest:  Cut fresh leaves during the growing season.  Use fresh, or preserve in herb butter.  Fresh flowers can also be used in early summer to flavour salads.

culinary notes:  Chopped leaves and flower buds are added to salads, soft cheeses, and stir-fries.  Lengthy cooking destroys the subtle garlic flavour.  Blanches leaves are served with noodles, chicken and pork.  Chopped leaves are added to miso soup.