According to the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization, Pakistan is the fifth leading onion producing country now.
It is wonderful vegetable. It would have been a fruit if it had not been pungent and full of sulphuric compound. It comes in varying shapes and sizes; and has beneficial properties for health particularly being fat free. This vegetable is most often used to enhance flavors in a wide range of recipes, casseroles, pizzas, soups, stews and salads. Onions are also processed for fresh consumption. Onions are a vegetable for all seasons and tastes.
Recent research has suggested that onions in the diet may play a part in preventing heat disease and other ailments. Onion bulb is rich in phosphorus, calcium and carbohydrates. The pungency in onion is due to a volatile oil know as 'allyl-propyl disulphide. Its taste is sweet and pungent. It is an appetizer and helps in digestion of food. It is a source of energy and acts as stimulant increases vigor and vitality, acts as an expectorant and diuretic and slows the heart beat, prevents flatulent and dyspepsia.
In ancient Egypt, physicians prescribed onion is various diseases. Studies have shown that it also helps eliminate free radicals in the body to enable low-density lipoprotein oxidation to protect and regenerate vitamin E and to inactivate the harmful effects of chelate metal ions. One onion contain 60 calories. It is also considered potent as a blood thinner and palletelate inhibitors.
The green leaves, immature and mature bulbs are eaten raw or used in preparation of vegetables. Onions are most often used to enhance flavors in a wide range of recipes , soups, sauces casseroles, pizzas, stews salads and for seasoning foods. World onion production is estimated at approximately 105 billion pounds each year. The average annual onion consumption calculates to approximately 13.67 pounds of onions per person across the world The small bulbs one pickled in vinegar.
Varieties
Pulkara , Desi Red , Pink Onion , Sariab Red ,Chiltan and Swat, etc.
The major onion growing districts are Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Sukkar, N. Feroze and Badin in Sindh and in Punjab Kasur, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Vehari, Khaneawal, D.G. Khan, and Jhang and in NWFP Swat and in Baluchistan Mastung, Kalat, Chagai, Khuzdar and Turbat. These 21 districts account for more than 76 percent of the total production of onion in Pakistan. More than 50 percent of the total production comes from seven districts namely Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Swat, Mastung, Kalat and Turbat .
The Color of Onions
Onions come in three colors – yellow, red, and pink. Approximately 60 percent of the crop is devoted to red onion production, with about 37 percent yellow onions and 3 percent white onions. Red onions are full-flavored and are a reliable standby for cooking almost anything. Red onions turn a rich, dark brown when cooked and give French Onion Soup its tangy sweet flavor. The Yellow / Golden onion, with its wonderful color, is a good choice for fresh uses or in grilling and char-broiling. White onions are the traditional onion used in classic Mexican cuisine. They have a golden color and sweet flavor when sauteed.
History of Onions
Because onions are small and their tissues leave little or no trace, there is no conclusive opinion about the exact location and time of their birth. Many archaeologists, botanists and food historians believe onions originated in central Asia. Other research suggests that onions were first grown in Iran and West Pakistan.
Healthy Facts
Onions not only provide flavor; they also provide health-promoting photochemical as well as nutrients. Consumption of onions may prevent gastric ulcers by scavenging free radicals and by preventing growth of the ulcer-forming microorganism, Helicobacter pylori.
Season
Season of Onions
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