Raw purple onions can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, adding a sharp, pungent flavor and vibrant color to your dishes. Here's how to prepare and eat them raw:
1. Preparation is Key:
- Selection: Choose firm, unblemished purple onions. Smaller onions tend to be milder.
- Peeling (Sparingly): While you should remove the dry, papery outer layers, avoid peeling off too much of the purple skin itself. The outer layers close to the onion's flesh contain a significant amount of antioxidants.
- Slicing/Dicing: Slice thinly or dice the onion to your desired size, considering the recipe and your preference for intensity. Thinner slices will generally taste less pungent.
- Soaking (Optional): If you find the raw onion too strong, soak the sliced or diced onion in cold water for 10-15 minutes. This helps to reduce its sharpness. You can also add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to the water. Remember to drain and pat dry before use.
2. Ways to Enjoy Raw Purple Onions:
- Salads: Purple onions are a classic addition to salads. Their color and flavor complement a wide range of ingredients. Try them in green salads, potato salads, or bean salads.
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Add thin slices of purple onion to sandwiches, burgers, wraps, and tacos for a zesty kick.
- Dips and Salsas: Finely dice purple onions and incorporate them into dips like guacamole, hummus, or bean dips, as well as fresh salsas.
- Toppings: Use raw purple onions as a topping for grilled meats, fish, or vegetables.
- Pickled Onions: Quick-pickling sliced purple onions softens their bite and adds a tangy sweetness, making them great additions to tacos, salads, and sandwiches. A simple brine of vinegar, water, sugar, and salt does the trick.
- Relishes: Integrate finely chopped raw purple onions into relishes for added flavor and texture.
3. Important Considerations:
- Taste: Raw purple onions have a strong flavor. Start with a small amount and adjust to your taste.
- Digestibility: Some individuals may find raw onions difficult to digest. Soaking the onion beforehand, as mentioned above, can help.
- Storage: Store leftover sliced or diced raw onion in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavor will become more intense over time.
By following these suggestions, you can safely and deliciously incorporate raw purple onions into your diet.
