是什么使甜洋葱如此甜蜜？尽管有些甜洋葱的糖含量很高，但它不一定会更多。甜洋葱的味道比其他洋葱甜得多的主要原因是，它们的硫化合物低，尤其是丙酮酸，丙酮酸具有常规或储存的洋葱。是丙酮酸可以解释口腔中的咬伤，眼中的撕裂，对于某些人吃了生洋葱后的胃疼痛。因为它们温和，甜洋葱是吃生的绝佳选择，并且会减少撕裂，因此您可以在不穿泳镜的情况下砍掉。

甜洋葱有很多名字 - 维达利亚斯（Vidalias），毛伊斯（Mauis），瓦拉·瓦拉斯（Walla Wallas），奥索斯（Ososweets），德克萨斯州的甜食 - 但它们都有一个共同点：它们在硫酸土壤低的地区生长。它们都往往很大，尽管它们的形状从圆形到扁平。

什么时候找到它们

传统上，甜洋葱是春季和夏季作物。但是，新品种，南半球的新来源以及提高的存储能力已经填补了差距，因此现在我们在一年中的大部分时间里都有某种甜洋葱。（请参阅下面的面板）。

季节中甜洋葱

Vidalia and South American sweet onions enjoy wide distribution in season. Other types have a more limited distribution, but most can be special-ordered if you don’t live near the region of production. (For sources, visitsweetonionsource.com.) California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Michigan have areas where sweet onions are grown. The most popular sweet onions are available as follows:

• 毛伊：在5月到12月的季节。比其他糖果小。
• OsoSweet:From South America. Available January through March. Very high in sugars.
• 德州甜：两种：春季糖果和德克萨斯州1015个超甜味（数字是指10月15日的最佳种植日期）。3月至六月。
• Vidalia:在4月至六月的季节，但到秋季可用。
• Walla Walla:六月至八月。

How to choose and store them

Sweet onions are fragile, with tissue-thin skins, and full of juice, so treat them gently. They won’t keep for months, as do storage onions. Buy firm bulbs with no soft spots, bruises, or other signs of damage. The necks should be tightly closed. If you plan to use them within a week or so, you can leave them out on the counter. For longer storage, put them in a cool place, protected from light; an open brown paper bag works well. If space is tight, hang them in the basement knotted one by one in the leg of a pair of pantyhose—you don’t want them to touch. You can also store them loose in the fridge’s crisper drawer, on top of a piece of newspaper, to keep them dry. Just don’t store them in a plastic bag; their juiciness makes them prone to mold.

What to do with them

由于所有这些果汁，甜洋葱迅速煮熟，但是它们的缺乏刺激性意味着它们不适合用作芳香而代替常规洋葱。取而代之的是，使用它们原始的或洋葱是主要成分的地方，以便它们的温和度可以发光。补充甜味的调味料包括盐和胡椒粉；肉豆蔻，小茴香，辣椒粉和辣椒等温暖的香料；像百里香，鼠尾草，迷迭香和牛至等草药；芳香剂，例如刺山柑，橄榄和凤尾鱼；和醋可以发挥对立。

More ways to cook sweet onions

• Onion confitis great as a condiment for meats, a stuffing in a rolled roast, a pizza topping, or a savory tart filling. Slowly cook sliced sweet onions in a little olive oil until meltingly tender and caramelized, stirring from time to time. Finish with a splash of good-quality vinegar (sherry, red-wine, or balsamic).
• Roasted onion slicesare a delicious side dish on their own, but they’re a versatile ingredient in sandwiches, pizza, focaccia, and salads, too. Roast thick slices, well seasoned and oiled, until lightly browned. Finish with a dash of vinegar.
• 洋葱圈need no explanation. Slice sweet onions 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick and separate into rings. Dip into a batter of flour and beer and deep-fry until golden. Sprinkle with salt and enjoy warm. To learn how to slice perfect onion rings, check out our测试厨房技巧.

Tasty ideas for raw sweet onions

Raita是一种冷却调味品，搭配烤肉和鱼，烤蔬菜或普通米饭美味。在米醋中腌制甜洋葱半小时，沥干水分，并用大量切碎的草药（Basil，Mint，Dill，Chives，Chives，Cilantro或Compination）搅拌成纯酸奶。

A salad橙色切片在洋葱的甜美侧面。改变调味料和其他配对以适合您的菜单。加入Jícama和鳄梨，并配上柠檬 - 核桃醋。与切成薄片的黄瓜和芝麻酱醋混合。或扔进茴香尖的醋汁中，并用薄荷装饰黄油生菜​​或菠菜。

辣椒莎莎·克鲁达is good with tacos, grilled fish, or grilled meat. Combine diced sweet onion, avocado, ripe tomatoes, and red pepper with olive oil. Season well with salt and pepper and a little cumin. Add a liberal handful of chopped cilantro and squeeze in some lime juice. Stir gently and let sit for an hour or so to let the flavors meld.

洋葱三明治are for true onion lovers. Spread mayonnaise on one slice of dark bread, sharp mustard on another. Cover the mayo with a thin slice of onion and the mustard with slices of sharp cheese. Or spread two pieces of white bread generously with mayo mixed with chopped parsley and basil and a dash of hot sauce. Add a slice of sweet onion and a fat slice of ripe tomato seasoned with salt and pepper. Eat this one standing over the kitchen sink.