The Goodness of Onions… Without the Tears!

You can find references to onions in some of the oldest Vedic writings from India. The Sumerians were growing them back in 2500 BC. In ancient Egypt, onions were considered a symbol of eternity and included in the burial tombs of their Pharoahs. Chinese gardeners tended onions 5000 years ago. Indeed, they have a long history in service to mankind… for good reason.

Why Onions?

Onions are

- particularly high in vitamin C which helps regulate immune function, collagen production and iron absorption.
- rich in B vitamins, especially B9 (folate) and B6 (pyridoxine) both essential for good metabolism, proper nerve function and the production of healthy red blood cells.
- contain antioxidants which help fight off disease causing free radicals.
- a good source of sulfur compounds and quercetin which help to counter diabetes

and

They’re tasty!… Mostly due to the sulfur content.

And..it’s those sulfur compounds that bring tears to our eyes when we cut the wonderful vegetable.

Here are a couple ways to deal with that…

How to Cut Onions Without the Tears

If you have a lot of onions to prepare, a pair of swim goggles can come in real handy. Sure, you’ll look funny, but the task will no longer bring tears to your eyes!

No swim goggles on hand? A food processor or blender can be a big help, especially if your chopping them up fine. Cut whole onions into large junks and dump into the machine for chopping. Best put the plunger in or secure the lid on tight while chopping to keep the juices contained.

Most of the time, I don’t have that many to cut at once though, so I just hold the onion under cold running water for a few seconds and then leave the tap running while I cut up the onion right next to the stream of running water. The cold running water makes quite a difference.

With all the good that onions have to offer, they’re worth the effort…

Here’s How You Can Use Onions

slice raw onion and add it to sandwiches or burger on a bun
caramelize them to include in baked goods
add chopped onions to chili for extra flavour
slice them and toss into stir fry
chop up fine and stir into plain yogourt with a little added salt and serve alongside chili or any spicy hot dish
add to omelettes, quiche or frittata
slice and fry some up with your bacon and serve alongside fried eggs
add to soup
blend raw onions with fresh herbs, oil and vinegar to make salad dressing
stuff them… and more

Here are a few recipes to enjoy the goodness of onions

Onion-Apple Casserole

Cheesy Onion Casserole

Mushroom-Stuffed Onions

Onions are such a versatile vegetable, it’s easy to get the benefits of onions every day.

The Goodness of Onions… Without the Tears!