Vegetables gallery

Onion

(Latin: Allium cepa) - a perennial herbaceous plant, a representative type of onion (Allium) family onion, most of which mankind are accustomed to see on the table almost as long as there is civilization. Homeland onion - Central Asia, has more than 1250 species. In Ukraine there are about 40 species.

As horticultural crops or medicinal plants grow these types of onions:

    * Shallot (Allium ascalonicum)
    * Onion, vegetable or Common (Allium cepa); it has the greatest economic value.
    * Batun onion (Allium fistulosum)
    * Leek (Allium porrum)
    * Garlic (Allium sativum)
    * Shnitov onion (Allium schoenoprasum)
    * Ramsons (Allium ursinum)

In one of the graffiti found in the pyramid of Cheops, according to the procurement of food for construction workers - in first place in the list are onions and garlic (also a full member of the glorious onion kind). In ancient Egypt, multilayered spherical bulb was seen as a model for the structure of the universe. Knew the bow and the ancient Greeks and the Romans even introduced him to a mandatory soldier's diet as a means of protecting from colds and diseases of the throat.

The mention of onions is found in the Bible. When the Israelis tired of eating a manna from heaven, they began to grumble against Moses: " We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic..." Numbers 11:4 -6.

From the Romans, who called onion unio, or unionem (from unus - "one", as opposed to mnogozubkovoy garlic), onions came to Britain, where the word transform in onion with time; same origin have French oignon and Dutch ajuin, German Zwiebel, Italian cipolla, Polish cebula, Ukrainian tsibulya, Portuguese and Spanish cebola ; cebolla comes from the Latin cepula - onion.

By nutritionally onions among vegetables ranked third, after the beet root, and parsley. It contains from 3 to 14% sugars (maltose, glucose, sucrose, fructose), proteins, fats, organic acids, mineral salts - calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Onions is rich in vitamin C (80-100 g raw onion fully satisfy the daily human need for this vitamin), B1, B2, B6, E, PP. Characteristic odor predetermine essential oils containing sulfur. These oils contain phytoncides (volatile substances) that have medicinal and antimicrobial action.

Although, unlike his "comrades" across the garden, onions once got into fairy-tale characters (Cipollino), but in riddles and sayings he is common. As the "universal medicine" onion mentioned in the works of Hippocrates, Dioscorides Pedaniya, Paracelsus. And during the Crusades, his fame was so great that for the precious bulbs exchanged prisoners.

Fresh onions, stimulating the secretion of the glands, improving digestion, increasing the secretion of gastric juices, stimulates the appetite, cures indigestion, has a diuretic effect and calms the nervous system. If taken at night and a teaspoon of onion juice mixed with milk or honey, then sleep much better.

Onions reduces harmful effects of radiation on the human body. And yet - onion juice is used to treat rheumatism - and inside, and in the form of rubbing. For therapeutic use the juice of onions in white only (not blue). It found a prostaglandin that helps reduce blood pressure. This substance previously demonstrated only in animal products. In addition, it is well calms the nervous system and promotes sturdy bed. Researchers have shown that onions can prevent a second heart attack, if one has already been.

Onion’  stirring and tonic effect is known long ago. Turkish doctors came to the conclusion that the bow and drawing from it a serious competition Viagra. This bow and products based on it have no complications, in contrast to similar preparations. Consumption of onions gives exciting effect through a powerful effect on the mucous membranes. Onions not only increases the potency of men, but women's sexuality, is therefore useful for both partners. And for more men and that helps to prevent cancer of the prostate. Employees of the U.S. National Cancer Institute found that eating 10 grams of vegetables per day by half reduces the risk of prostate tumors. A Bulgarian scientists recommend for hypertrophy of the prostate adenoma and eat at night, a small onion with bread and salt, or a drink with honey juice of one onions.

Eaten fresh, boiled, fried, canned and dried, is also used as medicine. In a culture known for more than 5 thousand years. We derive many varieties that vary in taste and number of bulbils. In Ukraine, the most popular varieties of onion are white onion, blue onion, leek and Yalta`s onion.
 

• Simple Onion Cutting Tips

The bigger and firmer the onion, the easier it will be to cut. A wet onion is easier to peel than a dry one.

Use a sharp knife—a dull knife can slip and will mash rather than slice through the onion. Use a straight-edge chef’s knife, if you have one, rather than a serrated knife, for cleaner cuts.

Be sure your cutting board is positioned securely on the counter. If necessary, place a damp kitchen towel underneath to keep the board from sliding around.

If cutting onions ahead of time, pack them in a plastic zipper-lock freezer bag, squeezing all the air out, then enclose in a second plastic zipper-lock freezer bag, and refrigerate, to keep everything in your fridge from tasting like onions.

When you need only a small portion of an onion, do not peel the whole onion. Cut off the size you need and peel it. The remaining portion will keep longer with the skin on it in the refrigerator.

Use pre-cut onions within 2 days.

Save onion trimmings, including the papery brown skin and add to soup stock for golden color, store in a well-sealed plastic zipper-lock freezer bag in your freezer.

If you need the juice of an onion, squeeze half an onion with the skin on it. Use a lemon squeezer.