In the spring months of March and April it is collecting time: that is when wild forest garlic, wild garlic, enriches the menu with the first fresh green of the year. Unfortunately, the season only lasts a short time, which is why we would like to introduce you to tried and tested alternatives here.
What alternative is there to wild garlic?
There are a few alternatives for wild garlic, of whichgarlicis probably the most obvious. However, there are other, less well-known allium plants that not only taste similar, but can also be used in the same way as wild garlic. These include, for example,Allium tuberosum, theCut garlic
Can you use real garlic like wild garlic?
Although wild garlic tastes very similar to real garlic due to its botanical relationship, the latter cannot be used as a real alternative. Since you usuallyonly use the clovesof real garlic (Allium sativum), the bulb is only suitable for flavoringFor “garlic” pesto instead of wild garlic pesto, you would also have to find a suitable green herb, which, however, has its own taste. However, did you know thatthe green shoots of the garlic bulbcan also be used in the kitchen? You can cut the stemslike chivesinto rolls and eat them, for example, on a sandwich or in a soup.
Which herbs are similar to wild garlic?
Instead,these Allium species are a good alternative for wild garlic:
- Chinese chives (Allium odorum)
- Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum)
Both species are closely related to each other and are also commercially available as seeds under the name chive garlic. In contrast to wild garlic, chives are only harvested in summer. The harvest period forAllium odorumis between July and August, and forAllium tuberosum even from spring to autumn. As with wild garlic, you use the stalks or leaves of both herbs, which can be cut regularly from a minimum length of 15 centimeters.
Which wild garlic alternative also grows wild?
You don't have a garden but want to collect an herb similar to wild garlic in nature? Then you can go looking forSnake leek (Allium scorodoprasum), which grows wild in almost all of Europe. In contrast to wild garlic, the species feels more comfortablein sunny placesand is therefore primarilyon moist meadows,Can be found on the edges of trees or ditches. Occasionally stocks can also be foundin floodplain forests Snake leek or field garlic, as it is also called, has narrow leaves that are up to 40 centimeters long and rough to the touch. It blooms purple from June to July.
Tip
What can you do with wild garlic?
Wild garlic and its alternatives presented are very versatile in the kitchen. Wild garlic tastes great raw, boiled or steamed, as a pesto, in soup or on sandwiches. It can also be marinated in vinegar or oil. By the way, not only the leaves can be used, but also the bulbs and even the flowers and seed capsules - the latter for salads or false capers.
