When you walk into the supermarket and see all the onions on offer, have you ever wondered if red, white or yellow onions the same thing?
Up until a few years ago I called scallions, shallots. That is what I had always called them. Whenever a recipe called for shallots I was using scallions. I would also use whatever onion I found at the store before realizing that a red onion is best eaten raw or a white onion is great in spicy foods. Through practice and research I now know which onion to use in which recipes.
I must admit that I often buy the onions with the best prices thatday; in Zimbabwe we used whatever we harvested that year. In Harare you can buy your seedlings in a shop or on the street. The seedlings on the streets are cheaper than in the shop but they are risky because you have no idea what you are buying. But with gardening, what matters more is the work you put into your plants.
Onions belong to the Lily family of plants. Other vegetables in this group are garlic, chives and leeks.
The flame lily is in this family too! The flame lily is Zimbabwe’s national flower.
Onions are best grown in winter with the exception of scallions that can grow throughout the year. Onions can grow from roots of a used onion, so one plant keeps rejuvenating itself. My mom always has a good supply of scallions. Scallions are difficult to kill.
Types of Onions
Yellow onions
These are most popular onions and usually what will be used in most recipes. They are spicy when raw but have a high sugar content. The longer they are cooked the sweeter they become.
Sweet Onions
These are best for frying like making onion rings and roasting with other vegetables. They are easy to cut into rings
White Onions
These onions are spicy and crunchy. They are perfect in spicy cooking like Mexican food and stir-fries.
Red Onions
These onions are mild and sweet. They are best eaten raw like in a salad or sandwich. Also adds a lot of colour to dishes.
Shallots
Shallots have a mild onion flavour. They are great in egg dishes, dressing, marinates and garnishes.
Scallions
Scallions have a very mild onion flavour. You can use scallions raw or cooked.
Other facts about onions
- Onions are best grown in cold weather.
- Shallots like scallions grow in clusters.
- After harvesting, hang them in a cool dry area and they will keep until next harvest.
- To save time, chop up onions and store in an airtight container. They will keep for a week.
- The sulphur in onions makes you cry when you cut them. Keep the hairy root before cutting it.
- Some onions are sweet and there are people who eat them like a fruit.
- If you cooking with an open fire, if you throw a piece of onion in the fire. The kitchen will smell really nice and mask any other smells. My aunt does this all the time.
- Onions can be dried and made into onion powder.
