If you’re wondering how to cut onions without crying, keep reading to discover an easy (almost trivial) method to prevent tears every time you slice an onion or prepare the genovese. Find out now how to avoid tearing up without wearing onion goggles.
SEASON and harvesting of fresh onions: from March to December. Onions, under the right conditions, can be stored for months after harvesting, with golden ones being the variety that lasts the longest.
RECIPES with onions
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Very cheap
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 100 grams
- Cooking methods: No cooking
- Cuisine: Healthy
- Seasonality: All seasons
- Energy 40.00 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 9.34 (g) of which sugars 4.24 (g)
- Proteins 1.10 (g)
- Fat 0.10 (g) of which saturated 0.04 (g)of which unsaturated 0.03 (g)
- Fibers 1.70 (g)
- Sodium 4.00 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 100 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
How to Cut Onions Without Crying?
- onions (white, golden, or red)
Below are the calories and nutritional values of 100 grams of raw onion
Tools
- Cutting board
- Knife professional and sharp
How to Cut Onions Without Crying?
Place the cutting board on the stove (gas or induction), turn on the extractor hood and start cutting the onions, directing the cut side away from your face and if necessary, wetting the knife blade. Alternatively, slice the onion in a ventilated area, as the airflow carries away the irritating gas released by the onions while cutting.
With a smooth-blade knife, cut off the top and bottom of the onion. Then start peeling the skin from the onion, one piece at a time with fingers or knife.
Sometimes, under the skin (the outer layer of the onion) there’s a thin papery layer. Remove it with the knife to get a fully peeled onion.
Finally, if necessary, rinse the onion under running water to remove any soil, skin, or dirt residues.
Besides cutting onions under the extractor hood, try these tips.
Before cutting the onion
– Choose onions with lower sulfuric acid content, such as white or sweet ones; while yellow and red onions tend to be more pungent and thus irritating.
– Put the onion in the freezer or refrigerator for 15-30 minutes, as the cold slows down the production of the gas that causes tears.
– Soak the already peeled and halved onion in cold water for 5-10 minutes. The onion’s irritating substance (propantial-S-oxide) is soluble in liquids and therefore is partially washed away by the water.
– Use a smooth and sharp knife to cut the onion more quickly, reducing the amount of gas released.
While cutting
– Cut the onion under running water, the running water will wash away the gaseous mixture.
– Frequently wet the smooth knife blade with water.
– Avoid serrated knives that further crush the onions, emitting more irritating gas.
– Keep your head away from the onion; the further your head is from the onion, the less gas will reach your eyes.
– Wear goggles (prescription or sunglasses, swimming goggles, diving mask, or even for the more discerning, a gas mask or motorcycle helmet) to protect eyes and nose from the gas.
– Some say holding a fork or spoon in your mouth prevents tearing.
Why Do Onions Make You Cry?
What Does Onion Do to Your Eyes?
When you cut onions, you break the onion cells and release enzymes that react with sulfur compounds present in the onion itself. This chemical reaction (it’s a defense reaction of the vegetable against predators) produces a volatile gas that irritates the sensitive membranes of your eyes, causing a burning sensation and stimulating tear production to wash away the irritation.
How to Alleviate Onion-Induced Eye Burning?
When the gases released by onions come into contact with the eyes, they can cause burning and tearing. To relieve the discomfort and achieve immediate relief:
– blink to spread the tears
– gently rinse your eyes with cold water to remove the irritating residues
– applying saline eye drops can help hydrate your eyes and reduce irritation
– a cloth soaked in cold water or an ice pack on closed eyes for 10-15 minutes reduces swelling
– prepare chamomile tea and apply its cooled tea bag or a piece of cotton soaked in the infusion to soothe eye irritation
– place slices of cold cucumber or potatoes on closed eyes for 15 minutes to help reduce redness
– do not rub your eyes as it would worsen the irritation.What Are the Benefits of Onions?
Rich in antioxidants and phytochemical compounds, onions can help reduce the risk of heart disease, support the immune system (having antibacterial and antiviral properties), and aid digestion. Furthermore, some studies suggest that regular onion consumption may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. Thanks to its unique flavor and beneficial properties, the onion is widely used in cooking to enhance many dishes.
