Veggie of the Month: Onions

Onion facts:

●     Many different varieties

●     On average, it takes about three to four months from seedling to harvest

●     Red onions generally milder than white and brown varieties

Recipe:  Sweet Onion Pie

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups buttery round crackers, crumbled
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 cups thinly sliced sweet onions
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
• 3/4 cup whole milk

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 pinch paprika
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a mixing bowl, combine crackers and 4 tablespoons of butter in a bowl until well blended. Press into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of 8 inch pie plate to form a shell. Refrigerate until needed.
3. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute onions and garlic slowly until tender, about 12 minutes. Arrange onions in the cracker crust.
4. Beat eggs, whole milk, chives, and salt in a bowl until blended. Pour the mixture over the onions. Sprinkle with cheese and paprika.
5. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 35 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean. Garnish with the parsley. Serve hot or at room temperature.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2016 Allrecipes.com 

Alternate Recipe:  Quesadilla with Jalapeno Jack and Fresh Chard

Makes 12 to 16 servings (i.e. 16 1/4s of a tortilla or 12 1/3s of a tortilla)

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups finely chopped red onion

Vegetable or olive oil

1-1/2 cups coarsely chopped chard leaves, packed

4 flour tortillas (8-inch)

1/2 pound jalapeno jack cheese, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

Saute onion in large oiled skillet for about 5 minutes or until tender-crisp.

Add chard and saute 1 minute longer.

Steam tortillas in steamer or in microwave oven for about 1 minute.

Top one half of each tortilla with one quarter of the cheese. Spoon one quarter of the onion-chard mixture on top of cheese. Fold each quesadilla over like a turnover and pat to stay folded.

Wipe out skillet then heat over medium-high heat with a little oil in bottom. Add quesadillas and cook, turning once, until light golden and cheese melts.

Cut and arrange on plate, garnish with red pepper, and place in 250 degree oven until ready to serve.