The Properly Diced Onion

Have you ever considered the surprising generosity of an onion? It holds onto nothing of itself as it spreads its essence throughout every dish it graces. The onion gives of itself without being diminished and makes itself indispensable, lessons for living we could all heed. I never thought of it before, but the onion is a role model, able to shine alone or exist amiably within a group, and essential to the integrity of whatever it’s a part of.

You may not know it, but the onion is ancient among vegetables; it was a form of currency during the Middle Ages and was used to pay rent, an approach we might all wish for in this down economy. And even today, the onion is included in the cuisine of nearly every culture. It is endlessly adaptable and necessary always. How many vegetables can boast that–and how many of us, for that matter?

There are so many ingredients that, if need be, I could carry on without–not so, the onion, at least not without a sinking sadness in my heart and the sure knowledge that whatever I planned to cook would be much the worse for its absence.  Read the complete post »