Onion are one of our most valuable vegetable for thousand of years. The onion family includes chives, leeks and garlic. The enzymes within the onion tissues are responsible for the pungent smell that releases sulfur compounds. This vegetable is a brilliant natural anti bacterial tool for our health. It is used as an effective poultice when applied to the chest for congestion, colds and bronchitis. The onion nutritional benefits are known to fight lung infection, heart disease, assist in relieving asthma, colds, flu and hay fever with their potent antioxidants while preventing infection.

Onion Nutritional Benefits

Contain Vitamin A, Vitamin B and Vitamin C
Onions have calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium and sulphur
Helps to stimulate hair growth and cleansing the blood
Helps to stimulate hair growth and cleansing the blood
Lowers blood pressure and acts as an anti-clotting agent
Used to treat coughs, sore throat and ear infections
Slice onions for bites, stings and keeping mosquitoes away

How to Grow Onion for maximum nutritional benefits

It takes 9 months for an onion to reach maturity from seed.
Usually you can plant the little black seeds in beds and then transplant them when they are about 3 months old.
When Onions start to bulb (8 months), you can push the stems over gently, and this will help with the formation of large robust bulbs.
You must ridge soil up around the bulb while it is forming.

Companions of Onions

Onions have a wide variety of companions, which include Apple, Carrot, Kale, Kohlrabi, Beetroot, Broccoli, Chamomile, Leek, Lettuce, Spinach, Tomato, Parsnip and Nectarine. The only plants that Onions prefer to be away from are Peas and Beans. Onion are useful to plant with other crops. It is an insect repellent. The strong smell keeps most insects at bay.

Tips on Harvesting and Cooking Onion

Towards the end of summer when the tops of the onions appear above the surface, they are ready to harvest.
Next step is to cure them by drying them out of direct sunlight with plenty of air circulation.
Plait them in bunches to be hung in an airy environment and used as needed.
Never store onions in moist areas, this could encourage unhealthy spurs to grow and destroy the produce.
Onions can be used raw in salads, sauted onions in sauces, vegetables dishes, stews, curries, roasts and soups.
Be careful not to overdose on onions, if used in excess, they can irritate the stomach.

Recipe using Onions
Onion rings

½ cup of flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
A little milk
Chopped garlic and oregano
Chopped chilli (optional)
Salt and pepper
3-4 sliced onions
Oil for frying
Make a medium batter, with the flour, baking powder, egg, milk, garlic, oregano and chilli.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Heat a pan and add oil, dip onion rings into the batter, place in the hot pan and turn over after a minute to fry the other side.
Onion rings make a quick easy snack or side dish.
Serve with fresh garden salad. Awesomely yummy and healthy.

The Onion Nutritional Benefits provide all-round health and well-being. Use lemon to remove the smell of garlic or onion odors quickly from your hands.

Author's Bio

Jeannine Davidoff is a mother, artist, writer, organic gardener, permaculture consultant, yoga teacher, freelance journalist living in Scottburgh, South Africa. My 21st century focus is on communicating knowledge and sharing my art. I have a blog that shows my collection of growing art, poetry and writings. I have a companion planting blog that describes individual plants,how they grow, their companion plants and antagonists, their herbal uses and nutiritional value.
In a series of articles, I'll explain How to Start an Organic Garden in 5 Important Steps. How to intergrate Organic Gardening with Companion Planting. What organic means and the benefits of having an organic garden companion planting.

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