Photo by Kentucky native Becky Luigart-Stayner
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This week JP tells me the bag share from Glade Road Growing will include 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of onions. He asked for a recipe for onion marmalade. This makes a great topping for bruschetta, pizza or pasta. It's delicious in a grilled cheese and tomato sandwich or to top chicken, pork, beef or fish. I even like it as a savory addition to yogurt, along with steamed potatoes and squash (or, let's face it, straight out of the jar!)
I think the traditional method is worth the extra time, but I've included an alternative way, which cuts the cooking time to about a half an hour.
Yield: 2 to 3 cups ( 1 serving is 2 tablespoons)
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter (or extra virgin olive oil for vegans)
3 tablespoons demerara sugar, maple syrup or honey
8 cups thinly sliced sweet onions (about 4 large)
4 garlic cloves, smashed, peeled and minced
3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions--traditional method:
1. Melt butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat.
2. Add onions and garlic, salt and pepper to pan. Cover and cook 20 minutes or until onions are very tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the sweetener and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook stirring frequently for about 10 minutes until the onions appear dry.
4. Uncover and add vinegar to onion mixture and reduce heat to low. Continue cooking stirring occasionally for up to an hour until the onions are soft and dry.
5. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store the marmalade in the refrigerator. It will keep for several weeks.
Directions--quicker method:
1. Melt butter in skillet over medium heat and add sweetener, cooking a minute or so until it's completely dissolved.
2. Add onion and garlic to pan. Cover and cook 30 minutes or until onions are very tender, stirring occasionally. Uncover and add vinegar. Cook, uncovered, 10 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently. Stir in salt and pepper.
