Consider the Onion

From the Genus Allium - the onion plant has been grown and selectively cultivated for at least 7,000 years.   It is a biennial plant, but is usually grown as an annual.   The geographic origin of the onion is uncertain because the wild onion is extinct and ancient records of using onions span western and eastern Asia.  The first cultivated, farmed onions are the subject of much debate, but the two regions that many archaeologists, botanists, and food historians will point to are central Asia or Persia.  Pliny the Elder even wrote about the use of onions in Pompeii.  

The Onion Futures Act - passed in 1958 - bans the trading of futures contracts on onions in the United States. This prohibition came into force after farmers complained about alleged market manipulation.  

China and India produce about half of the world’s onions.  Wikipedia   

  

This is a Stuttgarter onion from the 2016 garden.  I was born in Stuttgart Germany so I have an affinity to this onion variety.  Our roots grow deep (pardon the pun).

 click on the onion for a better look

This deliciously pungent bulb is celebrating its first birthday as it was harvested a year ago and I pulled it from the fridge and took its picture as evidence of the incredible staying and storage power of the yellow onion if harvested, processed and stored carefully.  It’s really rather remarkable. I haven't purchased an onion in as long as I can remember.  Occasional shallot here and there - but onion, nope.     

These onions that were carefully excavated with a fork last weekend are now in the machine shed for drying on a tarp for about a month.  After that they will go into cold storage for use in the coming year.