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Are red, white or yellow onions the same thing? What’s the difference?

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

Do you have a favourite onion dish? Let me know in the comments below.

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