Why are the onions so small in Switzerland?

I prefer bigger onions such that I use one or two per meal cooked and there is very little waste. Why are they so small here?

Can't tell you why they're so small, I"ve wondered that myself.

I shop in Germany, and buy four packs of large onions. You can find them in Marktkauf (just over the border) and at Hieber. They also have a better taste than the small ones, IMO.

Are you sure it's not just your hands that are bigger?

What are you cooking that needs two large onions

They're 'small' because they don't need to be big. Melon-sized apple, anyone?

So use 3 or 4 small ones - end of problem

I find the smaller ones stronger than the bigger ones. It's a quality thing, not quantity. However, it does s*ck *ss when I am cooking Indian and need to peel and chop 4-5 onions to yield a cup and a half of chopped onion for my recipe!

I once saw a very large onion in Migros Thalwil, so big you'd only need one for your 'two onion tart' recipe, but I think they've probably sold it now...

I bet you were typing that without a smile on your face!

You UK people are so good at fart-dry, deadpan delivery! I am the kind of person who always has to repeat punchlines because I'm laughing too hard in advance to get them out clearly!

Gave you rep as a reward for that laugh! Thanks!

Those "large-Marge" onions are actually good for making what is known as a "Bloomin' Onion" or an "Awesome Blossom" in certain American chains of restaurants. Basically, you slice it like a checkerboard without cutting through the bottom, so it looks kinda like a flower, then you dip it in batter and deep-fry it. Or you just make regular old onion rings - cut it into thick slices and separate them and dip each ring into batter and deep-fry. Gigantic onions are perfect for this because they are very mild and almost sweet - not very onion-like at all!

I still say "go small" and get what you came for! And if you want to live a long and happy life, forget treating yourself to a grease bomb!

since you pay for them by weight, does it really matter all that much ??

It takes a lot longer to peel and chop five onions than one.

That all depends on the onion. The large ones I usually get are quite strong!

If I didn't find peeling onions such an unpleasant chore, I'd probably eat far too many onions! Thank goodness for life's little blessings in disguise!

Sincerely,

Little Stinky

I am thinking of a curry. You need a lot of onion for these.

chicken dupiaza?

LOL :-)

Of course it does. I have to remove the skin and at least the next onion layer and for smaller onions there is little left. For large onions, most of the volume is left after removing the skin and the top layer.

I love how EF discussions start to resemble an autopsy. We literally pick certain subjects to death. It is becoming challenging now to think of one more thing to say about small onions.

If not an autopsy, then it is certainly like scavenging the Thanksgiving turkey carcass!

Back on topic...the onion...the small onion....which one finds in Switzerland....

I sometimes remove that core thingie which can be greenish or yellowish in color. I once saw on a cooking show (with the attractive young German cook who has a lisp) that it is best to remove it from both garlic and onion if you don't want overpowering onion flavor. This is especially a good idea if your onion or garlic is going to stay raw, like when making a dip.

***I wonder what Jack or other professional cooks have to add about small onions!

The attractive young German cook was probably Jamie Oliver. His cookery programmes get translated into German.

If I were to remove the skin, the outer layer and the core then it wouldn't leave me with much. I'd need about 5 onions to give enough onion flesh for one large one.

Hi RolandRB!

I know who Jamie Oliver is! Thank goodness that I do! He is a pleasure to watch (even if I criticize him often to my husband).

Jamie Oliver also has a lisp! But do they actually dub that into German? That would be f%cking rude if they did! As a televised chef, I would have to kill my producers for such a thing!

The cook I am referring to looks as if he is of Latino descent. Speaks German all by himself, with a cute little lisp. Similar to Jamie Oliver, but less, umm....heterosexually masculine (?). I'm trying to be delicate and diplomatic here.

Isn't he English? Or did I miss something?

Carrie, I almost drenched my keyboard with coffee when I read that!! Translating his lisp? Thanks for my morning belly laugh

Large onions (well, ones the size of say an orange) are available here. We use them at work all the time.

But then again i can't recall ever seeing them in the Migros.

If you're so desperate to get big onions go to any restaurant and ask if you can buy a few. You'll get a few odd looks though but you'll get your onions.

I also find onions stronger here than in the UK.

Carrie is http://www.tim-maelzer.de/ this the chap? My ex was in love with the guy but I don't think he's that good a chef. Neither am I, but I hate the small onions too!!