[CSA Update] Welcome to week 12

Mine eyes smell onions: I shall weep anon. - William Shakespeare

Why onions make us cry

If you run from onions because of the stinging tears, you know what is coming, and I want to help you avoid it. If you have never cut into a fresh dug onion - save these tips.

Slicing into a fresh dug onion releases a natural veggie gas (propanthial s-oxide). That stinking gas combines with the fluids around your eye and forms sulphenic acid! The result gives the all too familiar stinging sensation followed by the eye trying to protect itself, and tears begin to flow. Even just a little gas can irritate the chef's eyes.

How to cut onions without tears?

Onions add flavor without sodium or big calories. They add texture and should be embraced. Give onions a try with these tips to help reduce the tears:

• Toss the onions into the fridge before starting meal prep, at least 30 minutes before slicing.
• Use the root end last - cut the leaves and stem first. The root end has the highest concentration of eye irritants - use that last.
• Submerging the onion or holding it under running water while cutting it can help curb the tears - and can be done if you forget the other tips and find yourself suffering.