Many years ago, when I had just moved onto my in-law’s farm in rural Maryland (Carroll County), my husband gave me a tour of the farm. As soon as I noticed the ubiquitous onion grass, I tried to sidestep everywhere I went. My husband went in full stride, stepping on the onion grass, whereas I tried to dance around it. He noticed my funny steps and told me not to worry about poison ivy. ” I am trying not to step on the onion grass!”, I told him. He only laughed and told me that nobody, but cows, eats the onion grass and even then, their milk leaves a somewhat strange onion taste.

At that time, I was very surprised to learn onion grass was seen as a weed, at least in that part of the U.S., and not as an herb. Many Germans raise onion grass in their herbal garden or we buy it at € 1,49 fresh or frozen at the supermarket.

Onion grass (Schnittlauch) from the German supermarket

In my childhood we often had chopped up onion grass on buttered rye bread.

Onion grass on whole wheat German bread

Nevertheless, onion grass is almost as popular as basil and parsley in omelets, salads, soups, etc. Have you ever tried it?

Onion grass (Allium schoenoprasum) contains Vitamin A and Vitamin C.  It’s a healthy and tasty herb – not a weed!