Pearl onion
Pearl onion | |
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crockpot dish | |
Species | Allium ampeloprasum var. sectivum or A. ampeloprasum 'Pearl-Onion Group' |
Cultivar | 'Pearl onion' |
The pearl onion (Allium ampeloprasum var. sectivum or A. ampeloprasum 'Pearl-Onion Group'),[1] also known as button, baby or silverskin onion in the UK,[2] is a close relative of the leek (A. ampeloprasum var. porrum), and may be distinguished from common onions by having only a single storage leaf,[3] similar to cloves of garlic. In French they are known as oignon grelot. One English-speaking reference also mentions the term petit poireau antillais.[4]
Cultivation and storage
Pearl onions are cultivated mostly in Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy,[5] usually in home gardens,[1] although formerly on a commercial scale.[4] They are mostly used for pickling.[6]
The majority of onions grown for pickling are common onions (A. cepa).[7] They are grown to a small size suitable for pickling by planting at a high density.[8]
Known small white varieties include Crystal Wax,[5] or White Bermuda.[9] Red varieties are milder in flavour.[10] Pearl onions are ready to harvest from seed in 90 days.[9] They can be stored for up to a month in a cool, dry, dark place.[10][11]
Consumption
Because of its uniquely small size and a taste sweeter than that of a
Pearl onions are a staple to the cuisine of Northern Europe.[citation needed] Also in modern Europe they are used as a beautiful flowering plant and in Israel as a cut flower.[4]
Pearl onions contain chemical compounds that have health benefits including helping
Cultural references
Larry Wall's yearly State of the Onion speeches about advancements in Perl programming, an allusion to the many layers of the language, are named as a pun both on the pearl onion and the U.S. president's State of the Union addresses.[citation needed]
References
- ^ ISBN 0-85199-510-1.
- ^ a b c "Onion". waitrose.com. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
- ^ AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center. "Onion cultivation". Archived from the original on 4 March 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
- ^ a b c "Parisian Onions". traveltoeat.com. 17 June 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
- ^ a b c Linda Griffith and Fred Griffith Onions, Onions, Onions: Delicious Recipes for the World's Favorite Secret ..., p. 126, at Google Books
- ISBN 3-540-41017-1.
- ISBN 0-85199-510-1.
- ISBN 0-85198-753-2.
- ^ a b c "Pearl Onions". cooksinfo.com. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
- ^ a b c "Pearl Onions". bonappetit.com. 6 February 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Pearl onion nutrition selection storage". fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
- ^ Pearson, Liz (21 December 2007). "SKINNING A PEARL ONION". saveur.com. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
- ^ Maister, Kathy. "How to Peel Pearl Onions". startcooking.com/. Retrieved 23 January 2017.