Pearl onion
Encyclopedia
The "true" pearl onion (A. ampeloprasum var. sectivum or A. ampeloprasum 'Pearl-Onion Group') is a close relative of leek
(A. ampeloprasum var. porrum), and may be distinguished from bulb onions by having only a single storage leaf, similar to cloves of garlic. They are cultivated mostly in Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy; usually in home gardens, although formerly on a commercial scale. They are mostly used for pickling.
However, the majority of onions grown for pickling are common onions (A. cepa). They are grown to a small size suitable for pickling by planting at a high density.
Because of its uniquely diminutive
appearance and a taste sweeter than that of a bulb onion, it has also been used in dishes ranging from middle 20th century American casserole
dishes such as succotash
to sweetly-flavored onion relish
es in Indian cuisine
. A pearl onion
will take up to two years to make onions sufficiently sweet for sale (such is the main reason it is less popular in America than other onions). Pearl onions are, however, a staple to the cuisine of Northern Europe, especially Sweden
.
Leek
The leek, Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum , also sometimes known as Allium porrum, is a vegetable which belongs, along with the onion and garlic, to family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Allioideae...
(A. ampeloprasum var. porrum), and may be distinguished from bulb onions by having only a single storage leaf, similar to cloves of garlic. They are cultivated mostly in Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy; usually in home gardens, although formerly on a commercial scale. They are mostly used for pickling.
However, the majority of onions grown for pickling are common onions (A. cepa). They are grown to a small size suitable for pickling by planting at a high density.
Because of its uniquely diminutive
Diminutive
In language structure, a diminutive, or diminutive form , is a formation of a word used to convey a slight degree of the root meaning, smallness of the object or quality named, encapsulation, intimacy, or endearment...
appearance and a taste sweeter than that of a bulb onion, it has also been used in dishes ranging from middle 20th century American casserole
Casserole
A casserole, from the French for "saucepan", is a large, deep dish used both in the oven and as a serving vessel. The word casserole is also used for the food cooked and served in such a vessel, with the cookware itself called a casserole dish or casserole pan...
dishes such as succotash
Succotash
Succotash is a food dish consisting primarily of corn and lima beans or other shell beans. Other ingredients may be added including tomatoes and green or sweet red peppers. Because of the relatively inexpensive and more readily available ingredients, the dish was popular during the Great...
to sweetly-flavored onion relish
Relish
A relish is a cooked, pickled, or chopped vegetable or fruit food item which is typically used as a condiment.In North America, relish commonly alludes to sweet pickle relish-like sauce that often condiments hot dogs, hamburgers and other types of fast food.-Description and ingredients:The item...
es in Indian cuisine
Indian cuisine
Indian cuisine consists of thousands of regional cuisines which date back thousands of years. The dishes of India are characterised by the extensive use of various Indian spices, herbs, vegetables and fruit. Indian cuisine is also known for the widespread practice of vegetarianism in Indian society...
. A pearl onion
Onion
The onion , also known as the bulb onion, common onion and garden onion, is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. The genus Allium also contains a number of other species variously referred to as onions and cultivated for food, such as the Japanese bunching onion The onion...
will take up to two years to make onions sufficiently sweet for sale (such is the main reason it is less popular in America than other onions). Pearl onions are, however, a staple to the cuisine of Northern Europe, especially Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.