Beware of Chive Pods

Dear Cecily,

I saw chive pods in my favorite grocery store and was wondering--can I eat them? What do they taste like? I am always looking for interesting new ingredients to include in dinner party salads. Are they a good addition to an elegant salad?

Thanks so much,
Margery in Brookline


Dear Margery,

Beware of chive pods! The chive pods in the picture above look perfectly innocent in a vase with some spring daffodils, but they have an aftertaste that is more pungent than raw onions. Just one of those little pods at the end of the chive stalk packs the power of several heads of raw garlic. The first (and only) time I ate a chive pod, I couldn't get the taste out of my mouth for hours. You certainly don't want your guests to be breathing fire! My recommendation: use chive pods as decoration. Eat them only at your own peril!

But take heart, there is light at the end of the tunnel. In early June, chive flowers come into season. These flowers are lavender-pink in color, much less pungent, and pleasantly edible. Their mild onion flavor will be a perfect addition to any salad.

Happy Cooking,
Cecily