What can you use white onion for?

Silver or white onions have a milder and sweeter taste compared to regular onions. It is especially popular in European countries. There it is used to prepare fresh salads and onion soups. In our country, this variety has not yet managed to win the universal love of consumers and gardeners, primarily due to its short shelf life. However, in recent years the trend has been changing, and this vegetable is increasingly found on store shelves.

In the article we will talk about the benefits of white onions, their use in cooking and folk medicine, and find out the differences from ordinary yellow onions.

Origin and characteristics of white onions

White onion is a perennial plant, a species of the genus Allium of the Allium family (Alliaceae).. It is practically never found in the wild; it is cultivated on homestead farms and on an industrial scale.

The cultivation of onions began about 4 thousand years ago in Asia, in the territory of modern Afghanistan and Iran. Onions were grown in ancient India, Egypt and Greece. He was prescribed medicinal and magical properties.

Reference. In ancient Rome, legionnaires put a lot of onions in their food because they believed that they gave courage, energy and strength.

In the X-XII centuries. white onions were part of the daily diet of commoners in Spain, Portugal, and France. On the territory of modern Russia, the product appeared in the 12th-13th centuries; it began to be added to many dishes of cereals, meat, fish and vegetables.

White onion bulbs have a smooth, round shape. On one side there is a flat bottom with roots, on the other there is an elongated tail. This shape makes it easy to remove the peel by grasping the onion with your hand.

Dry scales are almost invisible against a background of white flesh with clear greenish veins.

Sweet taste, rich aroma, pungency and pungency are weak.

The main disadvantages of this type of onion:

• low resistance to diseases and temperature changes;
• short shelf life (3-6 months);
• demands on soil fertility.

Differences from other species

White onion differs from other species primarily in appearance:

• the size of the bulb is larger than the yellow one;
• the color of the husk is silvery-white (for regular onions it is yellow, for red ones it is purple);
• the aroma is more pronounced;
• structure - softer;
• the taste is much sweeter and more delicate, without any sharp bitterness.

White bulbs contain more iron salts, essential oils, sugars compared to a regular bow. Has a shorter shelf life than red and yellow.

White onions are most often used fresh. for preparing vegetable salads.

Reference. The French use it to prepare the famous onion soup with cheese croutons.

Chemical composition

The table shows the full range of vitamins and minerals of white onions.

Essential amino acids:

• arginine;
• valine;
• histidine;
• isoleucine;
• leucine;
• lysine;
• methionine;
• methionine;
• threonine;
• tryptophan;
• phenylalanine.

Essential amino acids:

• alanine;
• aspartic acid;
• glycine;
• glutamic acid;
• proline;
• serine;
• tyrosine;
• cysteine.

In white onion contains polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6.

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The nutritional value white onion:

• calorie content - 42.63 kcal;
• proteins - 1.1 g;
• fats - 0.1 g;
• carbohydrates - 9.34 g;
• fiber - 1.7 g;
• water - 89 g.

Beneficial features

The benefits of white onions for the body:

• prevention and treatment of ARVI and influenza;
• healing of abscesses and purulent wounds, burns, abscesses, boils, lichens, calluses;
• tonic, bactericidal and antioxidant effects;
• prevention of pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
• relieving itching and irritation after bites of mosquitoes, midges, bees, wasps, ants;
• blood purification;
• normalization of intestinal function;
• normalization of water-salt balance;
• regulation of the sebaceous glands;
• strengthening hair follicles.

For women

White onions are a source of vitamin B9, which is responsible for hormonal balance.. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) normalizes the synthesis of collagen, which is necessary to maintain skin elasticity and the beauty of hair and nails.

Regular consumption of white onions improves digestive function, accelerates metabolism, promotes weight loss.

Composition of the product Helps reduce menstrual pain, protect against breast cancer, health of the reproductive system.

For men

White onions have a positive effect on a man's health and restore reproductive function. His used to treat prostate adenoma, remove toxins, cleanse and strengthen blood vessels, getting rid of pain and discomfort when urinating.

The best varieties of white onions

The table shows the characteristics of the five best varieties white onion.

Features of cultivation

Traditionally, white onions were grown from sets and harvested in the third year of the growing season.. However, thanks to the achievements of modern breeding, varieties have appeared intended for annual sowing through seedlings.

A sunny area on the south side of the garden is best suited for cultivating white onions. without drafts. The beds are located in the place where pumpkins, zucchini and potatoes were previously grown. The soil should be loose and nutritious. Sandy or loamy soils with a neutral pH (6-7) are suitable.

Beds for white onion seedlings are prepared in the fall: plow deeply and fertilize with potassium and phosphorus. In the spring, humus or wood ash is scattered and the ground is lightly loosened with a rake. Furrows are formed in the area and watered abundantly with clean water.

Seedlings are planted in warm weather in the evening with an interval of 5-10 cm and a row spacing of 30 cm.

Long roots are cut in half, the feather is cut off, leaving two thirds.

Landing dates

For full development to the stage of planting in the ground, white onion seeds need two months. Taking this fact into account, gardeners determine the timing of sowing. The best period is the second and third ten days of February. Seedlings are planted in mid-April.

It is important not to be late with sowing, otherwise the seedlings will be weak and get sick after transplanting into open ground. This can happen even if sowing is too early.

White onion sets are planted from the end of March to the end of April.. The selected seeds are heated at a temperature of +45°C for 7 hours. This prevents early release of the flower arrow.

Before planting, the sets are soaked in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate or in Fitosporin.

Care

Rules for caring for white onions:

• weeding weeds as they grow - at the beginning of the growing season with a narrow hoe, when the bulbs gain their size by hand;
• loosening the earthen crust after each watering for better aeration of the underground part;
• frequent and abundant watering so that the water remains standing during the period of feather growth, and then as the top layer of soil dries;
• fertilizing with potassium and phosphorus.

Rules for applying fertilizers:

• 14 days after planting - 25 g of urea per 10 liters of water at the root;
• 14 days after the first feeding - 25 g of superphosphate and 10 g of potassium salt per 10 liters of water at the root.

Use in folk medicine

White onions are used less often than other varieties in folk medicine due to their mild effect. on the body. Red onion has great potency and is used to treat joints, colds, and intestinal problems. Yellow onions are the hottest and healthiest.It is used in cooking and folk medicine.

Onion tincture is used to remove worms: Peel a medium onion, grate it on a fine grater, add 200 ml of clean cold water, leave for 12 hours. The product is taken on an empty stomach, 100 ml for 4-5 days.

To relieve swelling Finely chop two medium onions, sprinkle with 1 tsp. granulated sugar and refrigerate for 24 hours. Then squeeze the juice through cheesecloth and take 2 tbsp. l. three times a day 30 minutes before meals for 5 days.

To get rid of calluses and corns, prepare a paste based on butter: bake a medium onion in the husk in the oven, mash it with a fork into a paste and mix with 1 tbsp. l. butter. The mixture is applied to the callus and covered with gauze. The product is used until the problem is completely eliminated.

For the treatment of colds finely chop one onion and mix with 2 tbsp. l. honey The mixture is placed in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours. The released syrup is taken 1 tbsp. l. three times a day in between meals.

An infusion is used to treat prostate adenoma: 200 g of chopped onion, pour 500 ml of dry white wine, leave for two weeks in a dark place. Then the infusion is filtered and taken 2 tbsp. l. three times a day, 30 minutes after meals. The course of treatment is three weeks with a break of 10 days.

To get rid of dandruff and oily seborrhea Use freshly squeezed juice and cognac. The components are mixed in a ratio of 5:1. Apply the liquid to the scalp and wash it off after an hour. The course of treatment is for a month, twice a week.

A compress is used to treat purulent wounds: Place half of the onion cut side down in a hot frying pan without oil and fry over low heat until soft. After cooling, apply to the sore spot and secure with a bandage or gauze for 5 hours.Then the compress is replaced with a new one.

Read also:

Medicinal properties of baked onions

Effective folk methods of treating onions

Use in cooking

White onions are widely used in cooking. He ideal for preparing fresh salads, appetizers, side dishes, stews, soups, broths, fillings.

Classic French recipe onion soup involves the use of white onions. French chefs claim that only it gives a pleasant, rich and sweet taste to the dish. The rich aroma of the soup is based on the onion cooking technology - sautéing. The product simmers in oil, acquiring a golden color and softness.

To prepare the soup you will need the following ingredients:

• white onion - 1 kg;
• butter - 60 g;
• vegetable, beef broth or boiling water - 1 l;
• thyme - 5-7 sprigs;
• baguette;
• hard Gruyere or Parmesan cheese - 200 g.

Preparation:

1. Peel the onion and cut into quarter or half rings.
2. Melt butter in a frying pan. Place the onion in it and fry over low heat, stirring occasionally until golden brown. The onions should be caramelized. Everything takes about 30 minutes.
3. Pour 250 ml of broth or boiling water into the pan. Cook until the liquid has partially evaporated and add fresh thyme.
4. Pour in another portion of broth and cook until thick. Then pour in the remaining broth, bring to a boil and cook the soup until medium thick.
5. Cut the baguette into slices and toast in a dry frying pan or toaster.
6. Grate the cheese.
7. Pour the soup into portioned heatproof bowls or pots. Sprinkle with grated cheese until it completely covers the soup. Place a slice of baguette and sprinkle with cheese again.
8. Place the containers in the oven preheated to 200°C and wait until the cheese melts.
9. When serving, garnish with fresh thyme.

Storage Features

The safety of white onions depends on storage and harvesting conditions.. About 30 days before harvest, watering is completely stopped. Harvesting begins after the bulbs are completely ripe - the neck of the feather dries, the feather falls down.

After harvesting, the onions are dried under a canopy with good ventilation for 10-14 days., then sorted and stored in boxes, nets, cardboard boxes, and breathable fabric bags.

The best conditions for storing onions - dry storage room with air temperature -1...+ 4°C.

Reference. If it is not possible to create such conditions, the onions are stored in a dry room at room temperature up to +24°C.

Conclusion

Over 4 thousand years of cultivation and use of onions, people have managed to fully study its beneficial properties and find application in cooking and folk medicine. White onions have a more delicate and sweet taste, a pronounced aroma, and no bitterness. The product is included in various salads, soups, and complements side dishes with meat and fish.

White onions are grown by seeds and sets. Caring for plantings does not require much effort. It is enough to provide abundant watering at the beginning of the growing season and moderate watering after the formation of the feather, carry out weeding and loosening, and apply mineral fertilizers.