Onion-Medium/Kanda-Madhyam

Overview 

Onion is a staple of any Indian kitchen, and is available in different variants. This vegetable adds flavour, taste, and nutritional value to our food. 

Onion is a vegetable that grows beneath the soil. It belongs to the Allium cepa species. It grows like a bulb and is also known as bulb onion.

Onion is one of the most cultivated vegetables. It is closely related to garlic, scallion, shallot, leek, chive, and Chinese onion.

 
Nutritional Profile

• Onion is a very nutritional vegetable; it contains various minerals, vitamins, and potent bioactive compounds that are good for health.
• It is high in vitamins, as it contains a good amount of vitamin C and vitamin B.
• Onion is a fibrous vegetable (1.7gm per100gm), as it contains soluble fibers called fructans.

Health Benefits

• It helps keep your heart healthy by decreasing the cholesterol level. 
• It contains cancer-fighting compounds decreasing the risk of certain cancers, including colorectal and stomach cancer.
• Onion helps in regulating the blood sugar levels in people suffering from diabetes or pre-diabetes conditions. 
• It helps support strong bones by boosting bone density.
• Vitamin B in the onion helps boost the body's immunity and leads to the production of red blood cells. 
• It can also be used for treating type 2 diabetes, as it contains only 4.2gm sugar per100g.

Uses

• Cleaning: Onion possesses antibacterial properties, which is why it is used for cleaning grills, rusted knives, metal surfaces, and so on. 
• Hair Growth: Onion possesses antibacterial properties that help reduce hair fall and improve hair growth.
• Home Remedy for Sore Throat: The problem of sore throat can be alleviated by consuming onion.
• Captures Bad Odours: Onion is also known to capture bad odours.

 

Recipes

1. Onion Chutney

Ingredients: Onions -1 to 2 (medium-sized), roughly chopped; garlic- 4 to 5 cloves; tomatoes: 1 or 2, roughly chopped; salt, lemon juice, and pepper- as per the taste

 

Cooking Steps: Fry all ingredients in little oil until onion turns brown and grind it once it cools. The chutney is ready to use. Or, you can grind all ingredients directly, without frying and use them. 

 
2. Onion Pakoras: 

Tea time is incomplete without these crispy onion pakoras, and making them is quite easy. It requires the following ingredients.

 

Ingredients: 2-3 sliced onions, 1 cup gram flour, 1/2 tsp ginger and garlic paste, salt to taste, 1/2 cup of water, 1-2 green chilies

 

Cooking Steps: Mix all the ingredients and fry it on high flame in your frying pan and give your tea a crunchy companion.