Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Sweet-and-Sour Baby Onions – A Classic Sicilian Side
Learn how to prepare Sicilian sweet-and-sour baby onions, a simple and flavourful side dish perfect for any occasion.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 300 g white baby onions
- ✓ 40 g caster sugar
- ✓ 15 g plain flour
- ✓ Red wine vinegar
- ✓ Water
📊 Nutritional Information
Sweet-and-sour baby onions are one of those timeless Sicilian dishes that bring warmth and nostalgia straight to the table. Often served at Sunday lunches or festive gatherings, their aroma alone can fill the kitchen with a comforting sense of home.
Once cooked, the onions release a gentle sweetness that blends beautifully with the tang of vinegar and the caramel depth of melted sugar. Every bite offers that classic Sicilian balance of sweet, sour and savoury — simple ingredients elevated into something memorable.
Perfect for buffets, aperitivi or as an elegant side to meat and fish, this dish is a celebration of the honest, uncomplicated flavours that define Sicilian cooking.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Peel the onions and blanch them in lightly salted water.
- 2
In a pan, melt the caster sugar. Once liquefied, add the flour, stirring continuously.
- 3
Gradually add two-thirds of a glass of water and some red wine vinegar, bringing everything to the boil.
- 4
When the mixture becomes smooth, add the onions. Shake the pan often — rather than stirring — to avoid breaking them. Adjust sugar and vinegar to taste.
- 5
Allow the onions to cool before serving.
💡 Tips and Variations
Enhance the dish with aromatic herbs such as thyme or bay leaves. If you prefer a less sweet flavour, simply reduce the sugar slightly.
📦 Storage
- • Store the onions in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- • Reheat gently before serving, if desired.
- • Avoid freezing, as it may affect their texture.
🍷 Pairing
Pair this dish with a glass of Nero d’Avola. Its bold, fruity notes complement the sweet-and-sour balance perfectly.
Thank you for following this recipe! I hope these sweet-and-sour baby onions bring a touch of Sicilian warmth and conviviality to your table. Enjoy!
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