Can anybody tell me what this ingredient is? If you can’t see clearly, the leaves are thin and flat (not hollow! hint hint), and taper down to a white, multi-layered base.
Leave your guesses below, and I’ll post the answer tomorrow! These are DELICIOUS by the way, one of my absolute favorite herbs/vegetables (another hint hint).
chives.
in chinese: jo-chai
Not quite! The Chinese is correct, but chives have hollow leaves and are typically minced fine and used as a garnish.
Although I admit that when I first started trying to describe this ingredient to my non-Chinese friends, that’s one of the things I would say before I found out what it actually was from a farmer at the farmer’s market last weekend!
I was gonna say Chinese Garlic Chives, which do have flat leaves, but you gave it a no on chives. And they don’t quite look like ramps…
You’re right! Garlic chives is the correct answer. They differ distinctly from the typical chives you find in the fresh herb section of the supermarket. In fact, I’ve never seen these in any supermarket except Asian ones (usually mislabeled “leeks”). I don’t think they can be substituted in dishes calling for chives though, as their flavor is different (it’s eaten as more of a vegetable). Anyways, more to come tomorrow!
Yep, that’s where I saw them. Only once. And didn’t have the brain to buy ‘em.
They are super delicious though, you gotta give them a try next time you see them!
Cilantro.
Nice try, not quite.
leeks!!!
do i win?
Nope! They are garlic chives!
My boyfriend, who’s Taiwanese, cooks with these all the time. Delicious. You’re very charming, by the way: cute, charismatic, humble, and skilled. And kind of sexy (sorry if that makes you uncomfortable). I hope you do well in the competition, and in everything that follows.