Our pungent seasoning workhorses -- onions, chives, leeks, scallions, garlic, etc. -- are part of the allium genus in the lily family. Sometimes you can find gorgeous lilac-colored chive flowers at the Greenmarket in the spring. These flowering chives, though, are the unopened bud stems of garlic chives, also known as Chinese chives. Aren't they gorgeous and kind of alien looking? Flowering chives have that lovely mild garlic chive flavor with a sweet gel core inside the long fibered green exterior. Saute 3" lengths on high heat for a few minutes with a bit of black bean garlic sauce (like they do at City Bakery) or just with salt and a touch of cornstarch. Add beaten eggs for a yummy flowering chive omelet you can enjoy in the morning with rice porridge. They can be found year-round at Chinatown veggie stands for about $2/bunch.
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