It is almost unavoidable that onions start to germinate. Despite proper storage, a green shoot appears every now and then. Discovered early enough, the onion is not lost for consumption.
Can I use onions once they have sprouted?
Sprouted onions can still be eaten as they are not poisonous. Smaller sprouts can be cut off and used as a spring onion alternative in salads. Sprouted onions are also suitable for frying, boiling or stewing, as long as they are not too soft.
The onion germinates
If the germs are not yet very large, they can simply be cut off and the onion can be used as usual. A sprouted onion is not poisonous. The onion itself is a little softer than normal because the germ uses up its energy.
If the germ is still small, it can be cut and used as an ingredient in a salad. Its taste is reminiscent of that of spring onions. If you like, you can continue to germinate the onion and use the germs little by little. This means you always have fresh onion greens over a longer period of time. The tuber sprouts until its strength is used up and only a soft shell remains.
Use sprouted onions
If you have a garden or a balcony with planting options, you can also plant the germinated onion. However, it takes a while until new onions can germinate from the onion. The germinated onion will first grow and eventually form a flower. Blooming onions are an eye-catcher in the flower box. The flower will eventually produce seeds from which new bulbs can later be grown.
Ideas on how to use germinating onions
Sprouted onions can be used in the kitchen.
- The onion can still be eaten, it's just no longer crunchy.
- Sprouting onions can be used well for frying or cooking, although they are no longer crisp.
- As the onion becomes softer and softer, it will soon no longer be suitable for frying. If you don't want to throw them away, you can braise the leftovers into goulash, for example.
- Young germs are relatively spicy and are ideal as an ingredient in herb quark or in a soup.
- If you have an old clay onion pot (clay pot with holes all around) you can germinate onions in it. The germs grow out of the holes and so you always have fresh onion greens on hand.
