Onion, onion, which kind of onion?

[Mary]

I ordinarily have yellow onions on hand, so that's what I think of when I read "two medium onions" in a a recipe. If I see red or sweet onion or green or white onion, of course, I modify, but what do you do?

I somehow wandered off and just found my way back this morning -- to find out more information than I knew existed about onions. The flavors and cooking characteristics of different onions are so diverse that we like crisp and mild flavors in a salad such as a red onion or shallot or scallion, but if a dish is to be cooked, then we go to the more substantial flavor and texture of a yellow onion. They seem to retain an assertive flavor longer and are less sweet than white onions.

And that reminds me of the man I saw in the produce section of a local store. He had so many bags of white onions in his cart that, assuming he had a restaurant, I smiled and asked if his family was a big one. He laughed and said "Nope. When I grew up, the kids ate onions just like apples, for a snack. Still do." Then he added, "the white ones are the best because they're sweeter. Yellow ones have more bite to 'em."

Not bad cooking advice, really, but I don't think I'm ready for a "bite of the onion" to start my day.

[Chocolatl]

At least his kids would actually eat onions.

[Dissie]

I ordinarily have yellow onions on hand, so that's what I think of when I read "two medium onions" in a a recipe. If I see red or sweet onion or green or white onion, of course, I modify, but what do you do?

I somehow wandered off and just found my way back this morning -- to find out more information than I knew existed about onions. The flavors and cooking characteristics of different onions are so diverse that we like crisp and mild flavors in a salad such as a red onion or shallot or scallion, but if a dish is to be cooked, then we go to the more substantial flavor and texture of a yellow onion. They seem to retain an assertive flavor longer and are less sweet than white onions.

And that reminds me of the man I saw in the produce section of a local store. He had so many bags of white onions in his cart that, assuming he had a restaurant, I smiled and asked if his family was a big one. He laughed and said "Nope. When I grew up, the kids ate onions just like apples, for a snack. Still do." Then he added, "the white ones are the best because they're sweeter. Yellow ones have more bite to 'em."

Not bad cooking advice, really, but I don't think I'm ready for a "bite of the onion" to start my day.

I love the story Mary, about the man in the grocery store. I love onions but doubt I could eat one like an apple. Maybe a bite, but not the whole thing.

[Chocolatl]

My dad used to tell me about visiting his uncle's farm in the summer and eating Bermuda onions like apples.

[Mary]

My dad used to tell me about visiting his uncle's farm in the summer and eating Bermuda onions like apples.

Maybe his uncle lived in Texas? Or maybe this is/was more common than I realized? It stands to reason that a local crop would be eaten all kinds of ways, and the kids would probably sneak some of anything edible. What is one to do when onions are the local crop? I think I'd rather live in wine country -- and sample the grapes.

[Dissie]

My dad used to tell me about visiting his uncle's farm in the summer and eating Bermuda onions like apples.

Maybe his uncle lived in Texas? Or maybe this is/was more common than I realized? It stands to reason that a local crop would be eaten all kinds of ways, and the kids would probably sneak some of anything edible. What is one to do when onions are the local crop? I think I'd rather live in wine country -- and sample the grapes.

Thats pretty funny Mary! We bought some vidalias from Dillons yesterday as they were cheaper than yellow onions, and after slicing, sat there and ate them slice after slice! (had to cut more to eat on our hamburgers)

[Denise]

My Dad had to have his sliced onions with dinner EVERY night. He loved them. There were a few items that better be on the table or we would hear about it - bread and butter, salt and pepper, table set properly and his little bowl of onions better be right by his plate

[Dissie]

Denise, I think it must have been a dad thing. We always had to have a couple mason jars with water and green onions in one-ready to eat. The other one had radishes-cut and ready to eat. My dad was stickler for having them at the table for lunch and dinner!

[Denise]

Denise, I think it must have been a dad thing. We always had to have a couple mason jars with water and green onions in one-ready to eat. The other one had radishes-cut and ready to eat. My dad was stickler for having them at the table for lunch and dinner!

Yes, that is so funny! And eggs, always had a jar of hard boiled eggs, LOL!

[Dissie]

Yup, and I never do that now. Put things in water ready to eat. I don't know why either! I was raised this way! Why don't I do it? In fact when I was home, my mom now uses the tupperware containers that has the insert to pull them up out of the water easily, but she still has them!