| Believe it or not, I actually hate onions in | | | | discussed. But if you noticed, The top onion |
| my food. Whenever I detect the sharp and | | | | producer in 2005, according to the UN Food |
| pungent flavor of an onion in my meal, I | | | | and Agriculture Organization, was China, |
| cringe to myself a little and slowly pick | | | | followed by India, who was followed by the |
| through my food, trying to avoid the onions | | | | United States. The third top onion producer, |
| at all costs. So why am I writing an article | | | | Americans harvested 3.3 million tons of |
| about them? Well as it turns out, I'm alone | | | | onions in 2005. Celebrating the Onion |
| in my opinion on onions...and the rest of you | | | | Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Festival Why do |
| Americans and world-class citizens love the | | | | onions make us cry? You've probably noticed |
| bulby oddities. So who am I to deny you an | | | | that when you cut up a raw onion, your eyes |
| onion education -we wouldn't want you crying | | | | start to tear. A common problem for every |
| over an onion, would we? Oh but you already | | | | onion chopper, this happens because of the |
| have. So here's my guide to the onion. I hope | | | | enzymes in an onion. Since the onion is being |
| you find it helpful as we'll go through some | | | | chopped, the cells are being broken - |
| of its history, some interesting facts, and | | | | allowing the enzymes to be released. The |
| of course - the best of the best onion | | | | enzymes in an onion are called allianases and |
| recipes. The National Onion Association | | | | they react to the sulfides in the |
| classifies onions into two categories: spring | | | | onion-chopping environment to create a |
| summer fresh onions and the fall/winter | | | | sulfuric acid gas. This gas is immediately |
| storage variety. These fresher onions are | | | | composed and released into the air, therefore |
| available April through August while the | | | | reaching your eyes. Our eyes' nerve endings |
| dryer storage onions turn up more often | | | | are irritated by sulfuric acid, therefore |
| August through April. Both come in red, white | | | | inducing uncontrollable "crying." Cooks |
| and yellow forms, but the spring/summer | | | | Thesauraus recommends chilling onions first |
| onions are said to be sweeter, moister, and | | | | to avoid tearing. "If you're prone to crying |
| milder. Therefore used in sweeter dishes, the | | | | while cutting onions, try chilling them |
| fall/winter kind is used for savory dishes. | | | | first, then peeling them under running water. |
| The most common onion is the yellow onion. | | | | Always cook onions over low or medium heat, |
| Not only is most of American onion production | | | | since they become bitter at high |
| (for more information on domestic onion | | | | temperatures." Onion Recipes Worth Crying |
| production, click here) focused on yellow | | | | Over Onions turn up in all sorts of dishes, |
| onions, but their full flavor is suitable for | | | | from appetizers and soups even to desserts. |
| a wide range of cooking, most notable French | | | | They are one of the most widely used |
| Onion Soup. Red onions are used more often in | | | | ingredient, not just across dishes but across |
| salads, and other fresh uses, or for grilling | | | | cultural cuisine. Here are some recipes worth |
| or broiling, according to the National Onion | | | | trying out: Recipes that focus on onions: |
| Association. White onions show up quite a bit | | | | Tandoori Onion Salad Onions Au Gratin |
| in Mexican cuisine and have a sweet flavor | | | | Caramelized Red Bell Peppers and Onions |
| when sauteed. Others argue All of these | | | | French Onion Soup Brown-Braised Onions Baked |
| varieties range in size - from 1 inch to 4.5 | | | | Onions Onion Tart (Pissaladiere) Onion Bhajis |
| inches in diameter. For a more specific guide | | | | Indian Pickled Onions Tomato and Onion Salad |
| to the different varieties of onions | | | | with Tahini Dressing Onion Rings Recipes that |
| including vidalia, walla walla, and Texas, | | | | use onion as a supplement: Onion Meatball |
| click here. "Onions should be firm and heavy | | | | Supper Braised Artichokes with Little Onions |
| for their size. Avoid onions that have | | | | and Bacon Grilled Sirloin and Red Onions with |
| sprouted or that have an odor, or that have | | | | Blue Cheese Butter Onion Chicken Breasts |
| green or moldy blemishes," says Cooks | | | | Cranberry Onion Pork Roast Grilled Bratwurst |
| Thesaurus, who offers up some helpful advice | | | | and Onion Sandwiches Onion-Beef Fettucine |
| on purchasing and cooking onions. Another way | | | | Corn and Onion Casserole Sources: National |
| to classify an onion is by its type: bulb, | | | | Onion Association Cooks Thesaurus UN Food and |
| multiplier (a derivation of the bulb onion) | | | | Agriculture Organization Hillary Marshak is a |
| or tree onions. The most common form is bulb, | | | | writer and editor for an up and coming |
| which includes the sweet onions like vidalia, | | | | recipe sharing Website. |
| and all the colored varieties we've just | | | | |