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Author Topic: Wild Garlic for Saag  (read 7,390 times)

AI Summary
The discussion revolves around the use of wild garlic in curried dishes, particularly in Saag Aloo, as an alternative to traditional spinach. Participants share their experiences with wild garlic, including its identification and culinary uses, while also discussing potential confusion with other plants. One user mentions successfully freezing wild garlic for later use, equating its volume to that of frozen spinach. Overall, the community appreciates the versatility of wild garlic in cooking and shares tips on preparation.

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Offline DalPuri

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Wild Garlic for Saag
« on: May 06, 2013, 01:43 PM »
Now is the time for wild garlic, so instead of just making soup (which is Fantastic!) how about trying some curried dishes?

Saag Aloo with half n half spinach and wild garlic leaves . . .  8)

Usually by a stream or a lake(Bewl) is a good place to find it growing or amongst not too dense woodlands. If you dont recognise it from the smell, then either the bluebell/daffodil  type leaf or small clusters of white flowers will give it away.
Well worth hunting if you've never tried it before. All of the plant can be eaten, leaves, flowers, stems or bulbs.

Wild Garlic for Saag

Cheers, Frank.  :)


p.s. Tip: cross cut the leaves finely or they'll bind and wrap around your blender blade (like coriander stalks) when making soup
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Offline StoneCut

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Re: Wild Garlic for Saag
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2013, 04:33 PM »
Nice tip!

However, if "wild garlic" is what I think it is in German ("B
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Offline DalPuri

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Re: Wild Garlic for Saag
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2013, 04:46 PM »
Yes, thats the one SC, Ramsons.
First time i had wild garlic soup was in Germany, and i've been making it every year ever since.  ;D
Delicious!
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Offline fried

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Re: Wild Garlic for Saag
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2013, 05:59 PM »
When I was younger I used to cook with wild garlic sometimes, but I remember it having a violet flower. I my mind playing tricks on me or did I pick a different variety?
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Offline DalPuri

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Re: Wild Garlic for Saag
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2013, 06:05 PM »
Pink Agapanthus?

http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/tulbaghia-violacea-pink_agapanthus.aspx

or maybe you were picking chives?
I think there is a very small wild plant that grows among grass with a garlic flavoured tuber?  :-\
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Offline fried

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Re: Wild Garlic for Saag
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2013, 06:14 PM »
That looks more like it, I seem to recall it being fairly common on roadside borders. Any idea how it compares in taste to the ones you showed? I've been looking at some photos on some sites and they look like they cover large areas.

I'll add this quote from a South African website.

Description:

This essence protects the auric field. The efficacy of this protection ranges from insects to psychic attackers or psychic vampires, who drain energy from others. Negative thoughtforms are repelled and the immune system is strengthened. Fear, low immunity to disease, lack of vital energy and lack of willpower are all indications that this essence may be needed. It facilitates feelings of safety, wholeness and courage.

Sounds like it might go down well in a BIR!

I just saw your modification and it wasn't a chive as I get in my garden but definitly something related from the onion family. I was fairly young at the time.
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Offline DalPuri

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Re: Wild Garlic for Saag
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2013, 06:26 PM »
Hmmm, not sure if it has naturalised in the UK, so maybe it was more likely crows garlic that you remember?

The only other thing i know from the roadside is Jack by the hedge. Plenty of that about now and makes a nice addition to salads.  ;) (but again, white flowers)

Mostly, its onions that have will pink/purple flowers.
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Offline DalPuri

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Re: Wild Garlic for Saag
« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2013, 06:36 PM »
I have Egyptian onions in my garden.(often confused with welsh onions) Very handy if you run out of onions, because theyre around for most of the year needing no maintenance at all.  8)
Once they're established, you've got them for life.

A little bigger than a clove of garlic and not quite as big as Indian shallots with a very strong onion flavour.

Wild Garlic for Saag
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Offline DalPuri

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Re: Wild Garlic for Saag
« Reply #8 on: May 13, 2013, 06:02 PM »
Half a carrier bags worth of wild garlic leaves and flower buds prepped for the freezer.  :)
Chopped and blanched for a couple of mins in boiling *salted (*debatable) water, then straight into a colander,under the cold tap and formed into 9 green nuggets.
One full (stuffed) bag would probably make the equivalent of a 1kg bag of frozen spinach briquettes.

Wild Garlic for Saag
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