Roscoff pink onion

Oignon rosé de Roscoff

What it is

From 1828 Breton growers sailed to Britain with this onion and sold it door to door from bicycles, strings across the handlebars - the Onion Johnnies, who gave the English their picture of a Frenchman in a beret. It took AOC status in 2009, the first French onion to be given one.

In the kitchen

Braise it whole, split through the root, in butter and a little cider - it keeps its shape where a yellow onion would fall apart. It is a poor keeper: bought in autumn it will not see out the spring.

Goes with

Salted butter Cider vinegar Potato Mackerel Cream Thyme Pork Bay leaf

Same species

Arleux smoked garlic Banana shallot Black garlic Calçot Cévennes sweet onion Chives

In season alongside

Bettarazuke Chioggia beetroot Prickly pear Green bean Hakurei turnip Jicama

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