Just because they have a bulb (called bolting) at the top doesn't mean they are walking onions. Onions are biennial and naturally want to go to seed their second year which is what you are seeing when you grow from the root tips.

I was clueless and curious so I checked and found this.

“From root to tip, this plant is entirely edible and can be used as you would any onion, although it must be noted that the flavour is much stronger. The green leaves can be cut and used as scallions, and the topsets and bulb itself can replace onions in any dish. The tiny onions are often served pickled and this is starting to gain some popularity among gourmet chefs.”

Thanks. Mine seem to live through the winter, but if they are biennial, I’m apparently seeing a new plant?

Yesterday I went to my raised bed to pick some scallions. They were there about a week ago. NOTHING! Huh?? I have pretty much always been able to walk outside, around the corner, and grab a few green onions except in winter. This is mid September! I used chives instead — bland chives.

This was my attempt to add some flavor to a takeout I ordered from a ”Vietnamese” restaurant. There was nothing Vietnamese about the original order — very bland. I suspect this place orders precooked dishes, then reheats them for orders inside or takeout. I am a decent cook. This dish was without seasoning. They do not seem to have anything like cilantro, Thai basil or even lemongrass on hand. Never again for that place.

I live in an out of the way culinary desert. I do not like living here. DH can’t get it together to help us relocate. I’ll order him the above dish while I make some good stuff. ;) ;)

Here’s an article I’m about to read:

▪️ https://sowtrueseed.com/blogs/planting/egyptian-walking-onions-a-perennial-wonder-crop

Thanks. Mine seem to live through the winter, but if they are biennial, I’m apparently seeing a new plant?

No, it's the same plant but it thinks it's growing in it's second year. Some adverse environmental conditions can cause onions to bolt to seed in the first year.