Can You Eat Wild Garlic Stalks?

Wild garlic has a long history of culinary and medicinal use. The garlic in the wild is part of the same genus as garlic you buy at the grocery store, though the bulbs are smaller. Historically, it was used to treat colds to earaches to high blood pressure. Though the swollen leaves with a bit of stem are typically eaten, the stalks can add a mild garlic flavor to foods. If you choose to collect wild garlic yourself, only collect from sites where it is permitted and avoid collecting on private property without the landowner's permission. As with any wild plant, exercise caution before eating any collected plants.

Range

Early European settlers introduced wild garlic to the lower 48 states and Canada. You will find it primarily in the eastern United States, with pockets flourishing in California and Colorado. Fields and roadsides provide good habitat for this wild plant. The stalks are visible above ground; they appear like grass with thick blades. You will also notice wild garlic's color is cooler green than the vibrant bright green of grasses. A member of the lily family, wild garlic stalks can grow up to three feet. The flowers are a pinkish-purple, though you may also find plants with white flowers.

Collecting Wild Garlic

Late spring and early summer are the ideal time to collect garlic when the plants are easily visible. You can pull plants from the ground. To prepare wild garlic, begin by washing them thoroughly to remove dirt and debris. You may find that peeling the outer layer of the bulb to the stem will make them more palatable and less coarse. Cut off the root end and the bulk of the stem.

Uses

Use wild garlic just as you would store-bought varieties. You may find blanching the prepared garlic may tone down the strong taste if you prefer a milder flavor, because wild garlic can be stronger tasting than other varieties. Sauté chopped wild garlic in olive oil or butter to add a delicious taste to tomato-based dishes or add them as seasoning to other types of dishes or vinaigrettes.

Cautions

Before eating wild garlic, note the environment from which you are collecting them. While wild garlic is safe to eat, always collect it in areas where pesticide application does not occur. In addition, the habitat for wild garlic may also contain other noxious plants such as poison ivy or wild parsnip. Note the surroundings before collecting wild garlic to avoid contact with these plants. A risk of side effects exists and some people may experience nausea or gastrointestinal distress after eating wild garlic. Do not consume large quantities until you know how your body will react.