Irresistible Roasted Cipollini Onions: A Sweet and Savory Delight
Discover the magic of caramelized cipollini onions with this incredibly easy roasting method. Roasted cipollini onions are bringing soups, dips, and countless other dishes to another level!
Cipollini onions are tiny culinary treasures that pack a flavor punch far beyond their size. These disk-shaped delights, once reserved for high-end restaurants, are now readily available and waiting to grace your kitchen. Their natural sweetness makes them ideal candidates for caramelization, and we’ve got the simplest oven-roasting technique to bring out their full potential. This method works wonders for pearl onions and shallots too!
Roasting these petite onions transforms them into tender, sweet morsels that’ll make your taste buds dance. The process mirrors the caramelization of standard onions for soups or dips, but with an even more intense flavor payoff. The only challenge? Peeling these little gems. Pro tip: A quick blanch makes the job much easier, or reach for frozen pearl onions in a pinch for a time-saving hack.
The Secret to Onion Perfection
The key to unlocking the full flavor potential of cipollini onions lies in slow, gentle cooking. We’ll start them off in a skillet with butter, then let the oven work its magic at a moderate 325°F (160°C). This method allows the onions’ natural sugars to break down gradually, creating complex, caramel-like flavors without any risk of burning. The result? Tender, golden-brown onions that melt in your mouth.
Why Cipollini Onions Reign Supreme
While pearl onions and shallots are delicious in their own right, cipollini onions take the crown when it comes to sweetness. This makes them the ultimate choice for caramelization, resulting in an intensely flavored side dish or ingredient that’ll elevate any meal. Their unique disk shape also adds visual appeal to your plate.
Irresistible Roasted Cipollini Onions Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons (55g) unsalted butter
- 2 pounds (900g) cipollini onions, peeled and trimmed
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and position the rack in the center. In a large non-stick or cast iron skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the peeled cipollini onions and toss them gently to ensure they’re evenly coated with the melted butter. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the skillet directly to the preheated oven and let the magic begin! Roast for about 30 minutes, remembering to toss the onions occasionally for even caramelization. You’ll know they’re done when they’re deeply caramelized, incredibly tender, and practically melting. Serve these golden nuggets of flavor immediately and watch them disappear!
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 134 | Calories |
| 8g | Fat |
| 15g | Carbs |
| 2g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 4 to 6 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 134 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 8g | 10% |
| Saturated Fat 5g | 24% |
| Cholesterol 20mg | 7% |
| Sodium 110mg | 5% |
| Total Carbohydrate 15g | 6% |
| Dietary Fiber 2g | 8% |
| Total Sugars 7g | |
| Protein 2g | |
| Vitamin C 8mg | 39% |
| Calcium 36mg | 3% |
| Iron 0mg | 2% |
| Potassium 253mg | 5% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |