Steamed Onions

Steamed onions are a simple and healthy side dish. If you have some onions available we can prepare this dish. Bear in mind that, being a very simple dish, in Italian cuisine it’s often enhanced with some extra touches, like aromatic herbs or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Here is how to prepare steamed onions:

Ingredients

• 4 large onions
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper (optional)
• Choice of aromatic herbs (for example, thyme or rosemary; optional)
• Extra virgin olive oil (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by peeling the onions and, if necessary, cut off the harder part of the stem.
2. If you have a steamer, place it over a pot with slightly salted water and bring to a boil.
3. When the water boils, place the onions in the steamer, cover with the lid, and let them cook for about 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the onions and the desired consistency.
4. The onions will be ready when they have reached the softness you prefer. For a more accurate check, you can pierce one with a fork to evaluate the consistency.
5. If a steamer is not available you can use a bamboo steamer basket or create a makeshift steamer with a colander over a pot, making sure the water does not touch the bottom of the colander.
6. Once cooked, you can add a pinch of salt and a grind of fresh black pepper, if you like.
7. Serve the steamed onions with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and, if desired, sprinkle with the chosen aromatic herbs.

This simple side dish is well suited to be served with meat or fish dishes, especially when they are prepared in a hearty and flavorful manner and you want a lighter element to balance.

Curiosity

Onions have a high content of quercetin, an antioxidant that may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Steaming them helps preserve this important nutrient, as well as ensuring they maintain their natural sweetness.