What Parts of a Green Onion Can You Eat?

Grocers sell green onions in bunches.

Green onions, also known as scallions, have high levels of vitamin C and are members of the allium family, which also includes garlic, onions, leeks and chives. Almost all parts of the plant are edible, although after thoroughly washing the onions, people trim the exterior layer, the top inch or so of the greens and all the roots before adding the onions to a dish or salad.

Cultivation

Green onions grow during the winter in hot or warm climates and in the summer in colder climates. Most growers use sets, which are small, dried onion bulbs, and bury them about an inch beneath the top of the soil. Onions grown in cool climates are long-day onions, while the onions grown in southern climates are short-day sets. Green onions are also called spring onions because they are one of the first vegetables harvested from a garden in the spring.

Uses

Besides providing a pleasing onion taste, chopped green onions brighten up a salad. Green onions are used in many different types of cuisine as a garnish, as well, particularly in Mexican cooking where green onions add some bite to salsa. When diced, cooks add the bulb portion to dishes at the end of cooking since the slices are small, thin and cook quickly. When grilled, green onions have a smoky flavor. Some people use the tops of green onions in place of chives in omelets or on top of cottage cheese.

Benefits

Green onions have substantial nutritional benefits. The onions contain flavonoids that help the body produce glutathione, a substance that helps cleanse the liver, transport toxins and carcinogenic compounds out of the body. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that a medium green onion has 90 grams of beta carotene, 150 grams of vitamin A, 171 grams of lutein and 41 grams of potassium. An equivalent amount of raw onions, on the other hand, has no beta carotene, vitamin A, just 1 gram of lutein and 20 grams of potassium.

Warnings

Since green onions grow in soil that can contain harmful bacteria, washing and stripping away the outer layer of the onion reduces the risk of contamination and food poisoning. From time to time, the Food and Drug Administration issues warnings or orders recalls of green onions. Discarding or returning any onions during a recall or a warning can prevent serious illness. Cats and dogs should not eat onions or garlic because alliums contain compounds that can cause anemia.

References

• Oprah: Dr. Perricone's No. 2 Superfood: The Allium Family
• National Data Laboratory: Onions, Spring or Scallions (Includes Tops and Bulb), Raw
• National Data Laboratory: Onions, Raw
• University of Illinois Extension: Onion
• Towson University: Foods That Cats Must Not Eat