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The sweet and savory tastes of roasted squash and caramelized onions harmonize beautifully. Although they're called "caramelized," the onions really undergo a Maillard reaction, which requires protein and sugar to create a browned appearance and a sweeter, more complex flavor. The natural sugars in the onions combine with the protein in butter to produce a deep-brown hue and a rich, mellow sweetness. Combine caramelized onions with winter squash for a delicate dish that's as rich in nutrition as it is in flavor.
Instead of using diced or minced onion as a seasoning to complement savory dishes, some onions are tasty enough to become the stars of the show. Vidalia onions -- named for the city in Georgia where they originated -- have a sweet, savory combination that makes them an ideal baking onion. Microwave whole onions to prepare a simple, yet memorable, side dish.
To bake an onion, peel the outer skin, cut the onion, wrap it in foil, and bake in the oven for about an hour. Learn to bake an onion with help from a culinary artist in this free video on cooking.
People in cultures around the world enjoy baked onions. They are cheap, versatile, flavorful and easy to cook. Onions supply vitamin B6, folate, potassium, manganese and fiber. Although this recipe uses sweet onions, such as Bermuda or Vidalia, you can vary the flavor by using pungent yellow onions. The apple and raisin stuffing in this recipe goes nicely with pork or lamb, or as part of a vegetarian dinner. Baking the onions gives the different flavors time to blend for a tender and delicious side dish.
Onions were one of the first vegetables to be cultivated by humans. Archaeological evidence traces their use in cooking back to the Bronze Age, which may explain their appearance in recipes all over the world. In our modern supermarkets, onions can be found frozen, fresh, canned, pickled, dried or powdered. While most onions are not eaten on their own, mildly sweet varieties, such as the Walla Walla, can make an usual and delicious addition to your menu if properly prepared. A bit like a baked potato,a baked onion is scooped from its baked shell and tastes best when drizzled with…
