Foraging for Onion Weed.

Allium triquetrum , Wild Onion, Three cornered Leek or possibly better known as the "Onionweed". This plant is a common sight in New Zealand gardens, parks and reserves, and once they have established in an area they are very hard to get rid of. I think people need to learn to control the weed and embrace it for its edible qualities.

Wild Onion is native to south-western Europe, north-western Africa, Maderia and the Canary Islands, where it grows in meadows, woodland clearings, on river banks and roadside verges from sea level to an altitude of 850 meters. It has also been introduced to the British Isles, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, North America and South America. (Wikipedia 2013)

Medicinal Uses:

When researching the wild onion there is little to no research on health benefits, but it is widely assumed that like it's close relations the garlic and onion it contains sulphur compounds and when eaten on a regular basis can reduce blood cholesterol levels. Also can be used to lower blood pressure when consumed raw. If anyone reading this knows any further information I would be very interested, please feel free to comment below!

Harvesting:

When you have found a site to harvest from whether it be from your garden or from the wild, make sure you make enquiries to sprays being used in the area before consuming. When harvesting simply grab a handful and pull up gently ensuring to remove the whole plant, bulb included, as the bulb, leaves and flowers are all edible.

You can grow them yourself, thats if they are not already spread throughout your garden, I would suggest keeping them contained in likes of a pot or planter box to avoid them spreading else where on your property.

Lets Eat:

Bulb - The bulb can be eaten raw or cooked and is mildly garlic in flavor, great for stews, salads and soups.

Leaves - The leaves can be eaten both raw and cooked and are available from late autumn until spring. Use younger shoots raw or cooked in salads, bruschetta, omelets and stir fries. Use the older shoots cooked as they can be stringier so need to be chopped finer and either removed from food once flavored or cooked right down in things like soups and stews.

Flowers - Use the flowers as a garnish in salads, they add a deliciously mild garlic element. Another tasty treat is to simply batter them and fry them in a little olive oil. 

Cooking:

Wild Onion and Potato Soup. - same base as a leek and potato but use wild onion in place of. It gives a really sweet earthy tone to this traditional soup.

Simple Bruschetta. - finely slice with tomatoes and season with salt pepper and a little grated parmesan. Delicious.