The onion is what is commonly referred to as a condiment. It can have various colors. With its powerful aroma and unique flavor, this root vegetable is a staple of French cuisine. We tell you more about the benefits of onion which, in addition to stimulating the taste buds, is excellent for health.
IDENTITY RECORD
Name : Onion
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Scientific name : Allium cepa
Varieties: Stuttgart, Straw yellow of virtues, Sturon, Keravel, Red Baron, Brunswick red, Paris haste white
Caloric value: 35 kcal / 100 g
High season: September – April (calendar)
Producers: China, India, United States, Egypt, France
France: Eure-et-Loir, Aisne, Aube, North, Somme
Storage: 1 to 2 months in a dry place
Appreciated by all, theonion is a root vegetable widely consumed in France. Under its marked flavor, we find a vegetable rich in antioxidants capable of acting on bacteria, infections, microbes …
Early onion and dry onion
The onion was first discovered in Central Asia over 5,000 years ago. A pillar of French cuisine, it is now present on all continents. It prefers mild climates and little wet and its harvest is usually from September in April.
Yellows, red Where white, there are many varieties of onions. But the real difference is between the onions early vegetables, harvested before maturity, and dry onions (also called “keeping”). Just like garlic, it is credited with many beneficial properties for health.
Indeed, yellow and red onions can have an activity antioxidant up to 8 times that of other varieties, according to a study conducted at Cornell University in New York State.
Onions are therefore very suitable when temperatures drop. It decreases the fever and heal them respiratory ailments like the flu, the common cold, bronchitis, etc. To this antiviral virtue, are added sweat properties that induce the regulation of body temperature.
He is also known for his wealth in quercetin, an antioxidant known to protect cells from body and preventing attacks from free radicals. As a result, the onion boosts the immune system and heals the urinary tract infections like cystitis.
Find out more about this aromatics
With a content of water by 85%, this aromatics offers good concentrations of health-protecting substances such as vitamins (B, C, E), the minerals (iron, selenium, potassium, manganese, fluorine, calcium, phosphorus) and the fibers (soluble and insoluble).
Onion contains volatile sulfur compounds, responsible for its odor and tear properties, which play a role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and in reducing the risk of cancer.
It also contains various antioxidant substances: flavonoids (yellow onions), anthocyanins (red or purple onions) with anti-inflammatory properties, antibacterial, antiseptics, diuretics…
The benefits of onion
- With its fiber content, onion stimulates digestion, improves transit and is an excellent ally slimming.
- Its regular consumption prevents the formation of blood clots blood and limits the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Packed with polyphenols, this root vegetable would prevent the growth of cancer cells.
- It participates in the good development of fetus and the growth of children thanks to its richness in folic acid.
- It alleviates premenstrual symptoms, relieves urinary tract infections and stimulates libido.
- Onion contains quercetin, regulates blood pressure and keeps the heart active.
- It contains iron, which promotes the regeneration of red blood cells and prevents theanemia.
- The quercetin it contains slows down the bone loss that occurs during menopause and fortify them bone.
- Onion is a diuretic and would be recommended for people with kidney failure.
- This flavoring reduces the rate of bad cholesterol in the blood and has an action anticoagulant.
- It contains anti-inflammatory substances and helps reduce pains related to drop or thearthritis.
- Onion increases sensitivity toinsulin and promotes the reduction of blood sugar.
- It relieves earaches and stings of insects.
- It is an excellent food for the beauty because it treats acne, abscesses, boils, panaris and promotes healing.
Some practical advice
This vegetable, present on the stalls in all seasons, is chosen with care. When buying, you must observe it, inhale its perfume and make sure that it does not emit an odor of putrefaction. It should be firm, dry, with its shiny, unblemished layers of skin. The early onion must have a bulb closed and shiny, green stems, vigorous and crunchy.
To keep its nutritional qualities and not germinate, the onion must be in a dry place, so it can be stored for up to 2 months. Fresh onions can be kept for a few days in the vegetable drawer.
To take advantage of the virtues of the onion, we choose it according to the use we want to make of it. Yolks, for example, are recommended for making sauces and casseroles. Believed Where cooked, this vegetable can be cooked according to your wishes: stuffed, as a garnish, pan-fried, fried, candied, in the oven.
Not very demanding in terms of cooking, the onion lends itself to different cuts: chopped, chopped, sliced, sliced into rings or into large quarters. It is also appreciated in pies, soups, omelets, fish, meats, seafood, etc.
Read also:
The virtues of onion for health
The amazing benefits of garlic against viruses and bacteria
The benefits of shallots against allergies
The slimming benefits of leeks
Easy onion gratin recipe
Ingredients for 6 people
- 1 kg of onion
- 3 tablespoons of sour cream
- Pepper
- Salt
- 1 nutmeg
Preperation
Peel the onions and boil them for 10-15 minutes in salted water. To prevent them from breaking up, it is necessary to make a cross with a knife on a pole of the onion. Take out the onions, cut them roughly (in 3 or 4) horizontally. Put everything in a bowl, add the cream, salt and pepper, grate half the nutmeg and mix.
Then pour this mixture into an earthenware dish and grate the other half of the nutmeg on top. Put in the oven for about 30 minutes Th 7 (200 ° C) and ensure that the gratin is golden and not toasted. Finally, serve hot with meat or fish.
Even if it makes you cry from time to time, think about its taste when you have it in your mouth … Onions have many virtues and are undoubtedly a root vegetable to include regularly in your menus. So, raw or cooked, how do you prefer it? Tell us in the comments.
