December 2021: Tokyo Long White Bunching Onions

This month’s seed kit features Tokyo Long White Bunching Onions! To support our environment, some seed kit materials are now available digitally.

Tokyo Long White Bunching Onions

Tokyo Long White bunching onions have long, slim stalks that mature to 16-28" tall. The 4-5" white shank of the stalk has a mild sweet flavor.

Planting Instructions

• Culture: Prepare fertile, well-drained soil. Sow seeds in a sunny location after danger of all frost is passed and when soil temperatures are consistently above 50°F.
• Water: Keep soil moist and fertilize as needed.
• Harvest: Bunching onions may be harvested at any stage, from microgreen to full maturity. Longer white stems can be achieved by mounding earth up over the stems to blanch them.
• Culinary Tips: Prepare fresh or cooked. Use in fried and grilled dishes and in o-konomi-yaki pancakes. Popular in Japan for sukiyaki. Can be boiled and served with miso dressing.

More About Tokyo Long White Bunching Onions

Have you heard of bunching onions? You might know them as green onions, scallions, or spring onions. Whichever name you use, the bunching onion is a versatile and easy to grow addition to the garden. Bunching onions were first cultivated in China and then brought to Europe in the 17th century. Relatives of modern bunching onions escaped from kitchen gardens and can now be found growing naturally in many parts of the world.

Unlike their close cousin the onion, bunching onions do not form true bulbs. Bunching onions have a mild oniony flavor that increases as you move from the green stems to the white portion of the plant. A good addition to salads, soups, and other dishes.

Spring Onion Romesco

• Yield: 1 qt.
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 6 green onions
• 3-5 garlic gloves
• 4 tbsp. butter
• 2 fire-roasted red peppers
• ½ cup slivered almonds
• ¼ cup tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp. chopped parsley
• 1 tsp. paprika
• ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
• ½ cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp. sherry vinegar
• 1 lemon

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt butter in a microwave safe dish.
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment or foil. Place onions and garlic on the pan. Coat with melted butter and sprinkle of salt. Roast for 12-15 minutes, until onions are wilted and slightly charred. Remove from oven and set aside.
• Combine roasted red peppers, almonds, tomato sauce, parsley, paprika, cayenne, olive oil, sherry vinegar, lemon juice, and salt.
• Rough chop onions. Add onions and garlic into blender. Pulse until smooth. Use as a pasta sauce, a dip, or spread on crackers or pita!

Craft: Seed Balls

Create a seed ball to add pollinator friendly plants anywhere.

You'll Need:

• Natural clay
• Wildflower seed mix (be sure the mix is native to your area!)
• Seed starting soil

Instructions:

• Take a hand full of clay and flatten into a sheet with your palm. Sprinkle seed mix and soil mix in the center of the clay. Knead until the soil and seeds are evenly distributed.
• Pinch off a section of the clay and roll into a thin coil. Pinch off ½ inch sections. Roll each section into a ball.
• Leave to dry on a newspaper of tray. Use the seed balls as gifts or toss them into the yard for extra bursts of color.