Cipolle di Tropea

 Calabria is a region with many products that grow only in certain areas or that are native only to some cities. The Red Onion of Tropea is one of the food excellences grown between Nicotera, in the province of Vibo Valentia, and Campora San Giovanni, in the municipality of Amantea, in the province of Cosenza, and along the Tyrrhenian coast. It is rightly defined as the red gold of Calabria. Its round or elongated shape, the sweeter taste than the normal onion and its crunchiness make it the right ingredient both to eat it cooked, for example caramelized and to dress bucatini together with plenty of pecorino cheese, and raw in salads with beans .

 

 It is a typically seasonal product, in fact it is not found all year round. Cultivation can begin from the end of August to the beginning of October, and the consequent harvesting from October to March. From a nutritional point of view it contains vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, selenium, iodine, zinc and magnesium as well as having the presence of sugars including glucose, fructose, sucrose. Its sweetness is due to the microclimate where it is grown, near the sea and growing in mild temperatures even in winter.

 

This is just a small example of how to use this great vegetable. The Cipolle alla Tropeana have been caramelised and they are great as topping for flat bread, potato waffles and also on pizza.

Where can you find the Tropea red onion in London? When it's in season, Borough Market and Fortnum & Mason sell it, or some Italian delis that have fresh products, otherwise you can try it at some Italian fruit and vegetable distributors, who can take orders online. Try order them from Vincenzo Ltd. This distributor sells them to retailers but they have boxes that can be delivered only in London and maybe Cipolle di Tropea can be added if requested. This linguine with Cipolla di Tropea and pecorono cheese is really divine.

 Very popular, the various websites suggest many recipes where to use this delicious bulb that goes very well with nduja, another typical Calabrian product that is becoming more and more popular in the United Kingdom. This dish for example is a stew of borlotti beans, nduja and Cipolla di Tropea.  Comfort food at its best with the right spicy kick and the sweetness of the onions. 

 Being a difficult to find and seasonal product, once you manage to buy some, if you don't use them immediately you can freeze them. 

 Just cut them into slices and put them on trays covered with baking paper and place them in the freezer. Once they are frozen you can put them in bags and use them when you want a delicious dish. The Red Onion of Tropea is a PGI product with a Consortium that protects and promotes its knowledge.