Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Baked Red Onions – A Simple Sicilian Side with Big Flavour
Learn how to prepare Sicilian baked red onions — a simple, flavour-packed side dish perfect with almost any meal.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 4 large red onions
- ✓ Red wine vinegar
- ✓ Oregano
- ✓ Extra-virgin olive oil
- ✓ Salt
- ✓ Freshly ground black pepper
📊 Nutritional Information
Baked red onions are one of those quietly brilliant Sicilian sides — simple, rustic and bursting with warmth. Rooted in an old countryside tradition, this dish celebrates the famous red onions of Partanna, prized for their natural sweetness and vibrant colour.
As they roast, the onions soften and caramelise, releasing an aroma that’s both comforting and deeply Mediterranean. The gentle sweetness marries beautifully with the tang of red wine vinegar and the herbaceous lift of oregano, creating an irresistible balance of sweet, savoury and sharp.
Perfect alongside grilled meats, tucked into a sandwich or served as part of an antipasto board, these onions prove that the simplest ingredients often deliver the most satisfying results.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Cut the onions in half and gently open them out like a flower.
- 2
Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil between the layers and season with oregano, salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- 3
Bake at 180°C for 20–25 minutes.
- 4
Allow to cool slightly, then drizzle with a little red wine vinegar before serving.
💡 Tips and Variations
Add a touch of honey for extra sweetness or a pinch of chilli flakes for heat. If you prefer a milder acidity, simply reduce the amount of vinegar.
📦 Storage
- • Store the onions in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- • Reheat in the oven before serving.
- • Avoid freezing, as they may become watery.
🍷 Pairing
Pair this dish with a glass of Cerasuolo di Vittoria — its fruity, lightly spiced character enhances the onions’ sweet-and-sour profile.
Thanks for choosing to prepare my baked red onions. I hope this Sicilian favourite has brightened your table, and I look forward to sharing more delicious ideas with you soon!
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