Egyptian Walking Onion

They aren't called  Walking Onions (aka Winter Onion) without good reason.  One of my all time favorite, and most versatile onions, has a way of walking through the garden.  A wonderful gardening friend, Barbara,  got me started with these and now I'm addicted.  

 Though  not invasive, the Walking Onion will happily drop it’s top set (this makes me think "tipping it's top hat") and grow on its own. Hence, the "walking" in it's name.  

Walking onion bed

A prolific producer, and a hardy perennial, these onions making gardening easy.  The bulblets can be used like pearl onions and added to roasts or stews. Add a few to a pan of fresh snap peas, or pickle them, like I do.   

 I was told I wouldn't see bulblets the first year, but lo and behold, there they were.  I had bulblets by the hundreds and it was more than enough for me to share with friends and neighbors. I shared so much I didn't realize (initially) that I'd shared myself right out of them.  Fortunately there were still some in the ground and I've seen them popping up in different garden beds.  

The tall, green stems can be diced fresh to use in salads, or garnish dishes the same as chives or green onions, and have a light, delicate flavor.  Freeze some for later to add to winter soups and stews.  Be sure you don't harvest all the topsets (greenery) or you won't have any bulblets. 

Walking Onion Bulb

Beneath the ground you will find  delicious, shallot like bulbs -  often in clusters.  These can be eaten and prepared like any onion or shallot.  Leave the onion in the ground over winter and it will come back in the spring when the clusters can be divided and replanted for a more abundant harvest in late summer or  fall.  

Bloomin' onions

As part of my edible landscape, I especially enjoy this onion when it's in full bloom.  

These onions are very winter hardy and have stayed in the ground for as long as I've had them, and that's with some pretty solid freezes.  The mulch  I put on when I'm winterizing my garden beds might contribute to their overwintering success.  

If you have  favorite photos of your Walking Onions, or recipes you'd like to share, be sure to drop them in the comments.