ONION BULBS

''Madam that onion is not properly chopped naa! can't you see that it's too big? I don't want the onions to be visible, chop it into smaller bits, or better still blend it first.'' These were my mother's words whenever I chopped onions to garnish our meal as a growing girl living in our family house. Mum hated onions so much that it had to be chopped into tiny bits or blended into any meal we prepared if at all. I and my siblings grew up toeing the same line, detesting the world's strongest vegetable, ONION.

Finely Chopped Onion

 Cut pieces of Onion

Come to think of it, what is it about onion that some people detest so much? Is it the strong smell it leaves in ones mouth and hands after handling and consuming, or the tears it brings to the eyes when cutting ? Whatever it maybe, none of these reasons is good enough to ignore this palatable, highly nutritious and lovely looking vegetable especially as there are remedies to the aforementioned.

According to Cambridge dictionary, onion is a vegetable with a strong smell and flavour, made up of several layers surrounding each other tightly in a round shape, usually brown or red on the outside and white inside. Onion (allium cepa) has a great taste and has been used by different cultures thousands of years ago.

                                   Popular Onion used in different cultures across the world

WHY YOU SHOULD GIVE ONIONS A TRY

* It lowers blood pressure and lowers heart attack

* Onions are high in fibre and this fibre helps to prevent digestive pain

*It improves immunity; this is because onions contain vitamin C that increases the effectiveness of our bodies bringing about a healthy immune system.

*According to Ameya (2013) onions helps to prevent hair loss. This is achieved by using onion juice on the scalp to prevent lice and hair fall.

* It helps to control sugar levels in the blood which is essential to manage diabetes.

* Onions are sweet vegetables eaten raw or added to cooked meals. However one likes it, the taste is something to look forward to.

* If you are scared of the lasting smell, wash hands with cold water, applying salt, rinse and then wash again with soap and warm water

* To conceal the smell from your mouth, eat an apple, carrot, fresh parsley or something minty.

* In a television programme, food detectives found that adding onions in the freezer for about 10 -15 minutes before cutting helps reduce the acid enzymes released in the air when cutting, this way, one won't have to shed much tears, probably none.

* Onions adds a great flavour and aroma to your meals, it could be chopped or blended.

* The beauty of any meal is what attract consumers, slice some onions into a dish and see how mouth watery it looks.

 PICKING A GOOD ONION

Picking a good onion in a store is not so difficult, simply avoid the ones with a very strong smell, this means that the onion is bad or beginning to get bad, it is best to go for onions that are firm and dry on the outside. If you must buy an onion that is not firm it is advisable to consume it immediately before it gets totally bad.

A sample of some clean and fresh onion. May be found in most shops and super market

However, too much consumption is not advisable as it could leave one with bad breath for too long and reduce blood pressure and sugar level drastically. so eat with caution. Since its benefits outways it disadvantages, I think it is fair to agree with Mary Ann Lienhart-Cross that Onion is a miracle vegetable.

You now see why Onion bulbs are a must have in my kitchen? you too can join the clique.