How many people does it take to select an onion? I thought about this take on an old joke when I overheard a mother and daughter having an onion debate at a local produce store. The each had their own take on how to select the best onions.
I use onions all of the time in my cooking. They are versatile and an easy way to add a flavor to cooking that is a common part of most everyone’s pallet. Onions can be used in many different cooking devices and techniques, from the grill to the crockpot. Chopped or diced onion is easily frozen, making meal preparation time pretty easy.
So how do you pick the perfect onions. Well, there are different types of onions, but here are some general guidelines that can apply to most varieties.
According to the National Onion Association (yes, it really exists), you should select an onion that has a short neck and a dry, papery onion skin. The onion should be firm, hard and free of any blemishes.
I want to add a few of my own tips. Make sure there are no soft spots at all. Squishy onions are horrid. Have you ever cut into one? It is not an experience that you want to repeat. Also, look for mold on the outside of the onion. Sometimes a little bit of dirt may look like mold. If it brushes or rinses off easily, then it is probably a little soil and not mold.
Some people will never buy onions from a net bag. While I agree that hand selecting onions gives you a better opportunity to get a good selection, I still do buy onions in a net sometimes. You can read all about buying bagged produce in another article, by clicking here.
Mary Ann Romans writes for the Frugal Living Blog here at Families.com, where she shares money saving tips for today’s families. She also writes for the Computing Blog here at Families.com where she shares everything from the latest news on technology to cool downloads and fun websites.
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