Produce Briefs...
Maui Onions
Two characteristics set the Maui onion apart from other yellow onions: the high sugar and high moisture content of its flesh.
Rainbow Swiss Chard
Rainbow chard, also known a 5-color silverbeet, is a tender chard variety with multi-colored stalks of yellow, white, orange pink and red.
Seasons/Availability
California Sweet 1015 onions are available from March to October.
Current Facts
Sweet onions are commonly referred to as short day onions as they grow during the fall and winter when the days are shorter. They are then harvested in the spring and summer as fresh onions. As they have a higher water content than storage onions their shelf life is limited. Although there is no set standard for what qualifies a sweet onion, generally they have a sugar content of at least 6% and it can swell up to 15% with certain varieties under premium growing conditions.
Description/Taste
California sweet onions are large, yellow, globe shaped onions with a mild, sweet flavor. They are devoid of the sharpness of storage onions as they are grown in soils that are without the sulfuric compounds that give other onion varieties their sharp bite.
Applications
Use sweet onions in savory preparations, especially where they are cooked longer, allowing the sugars to caramelize. Slice and saute sweet onions, then add beef broth, top with a slice of bread and gruyere cheese, then broil for french onion soup. Very slowly caramelize sweet onions with balsamic vinegar and sugar until browned and soft, then serve with bread and cheese. Add fresh diced sweet onion to diced tomatoes, avocado and cilantro for salsa fresca. Sweet onions will keep in cool, dry storage for up to a month.
Geography/History
California sweet onions were the first sweet onions cultivated within the United States. Dr. Henry Jones is accredited with being the first person to hybridize the stout Bermuda onion into a variety called the Granex. This is the standard California sweet onion and several varieties of it can be found growing in the Imperial, San Joaquin and Coastal Valleys of California.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include California Sweet Onions 1015. One
is easiest, three is harder.
California Sweet 1015 onions are available from March to October.
Current Facts
Sweet onions are commonly referred to as short day onions as they grow during the fall and winter when the days are shorter. They are then harvested in the spring and summer as fresh onions. As they have a higher water content than storage onions their shelf life is limited. Although there is no set standard for what qualifies a sweet onion, generally they have a sugar content of at least 6% and it can swell up to 15% with certain varieties under premium growing conditions.
Description/Taste
California sweet onions are large, yellow, globe shaped onions with a mild, sweet flavor. They are devoid of the sharpness of storage onions as they are grown in soils that are without the sulfuric compounds that give other onion varieties their sharp bite.
Applications
Use sweet onions in savory preparations, especially where they are cooked longer, allowing the sugars to caramelize. Slice and saute sweet onions, then add beef broth, top with a slice of bread and gruyere cheese, then broil for french onion soup. Very slowly caramelize sweet onions with balsamic vinegar and sugar until browned and soft, then serve with bread and cheese. Add fresh diced sweet onion to diced tomatoes, avocado and cilantro for salsa fresca. Sweet onions will keep in cool, dry storage for up to a month.
Geography/History
California sweet onions were the first sweet onions cultivated within the United States. Dr. Henry Jones is accredited with being the first person to hybridize the stout Bermuda onion into a variety called the Granex. This is the standard California sweet onion and several varieties of it can be found growing in the Imperial, San Joaquin and Coastal Valleys of California.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include California Sweet Onions 1015. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Chase Blackwell |
|
Caramelized Onion Jam |
| Cookography |
|
The Best French Onion Soup Ever |
| Stumptown Savoury |
|
Sweet Onion Marmalade |
