Caramelized onions from Tropea

Cipolle Rosse di Tropea, otherwise known as Tropea onions are known as "Italy's Red Queen."  The onions arrived on the Italian peninsula via the Phoenicians and Greeks, some 3,000 years ago. A good Tropea onion is far, far sweeter than your average red onion, this isn’t because they have a higher sugar content. Besides being very good, according to recent scientific studies, the onion of Tropea is an aphrodisiac, antiseptic, diuretic and emollient. It is also effective for treating rheumatism, headaches, abscesses, warts, boils, regulating the cholesterol level in the blood, avoiding colds and flu, ward off the risk of cancer, promote biliary secretion, fight diabetes, protect from insect bites and even preserve from aging.

The red color is given by quercetin, a precious antioxidant which stimulates the immune system and which, together with vitamin C, helps to protect the capillaries and connective tissue. Today the Tropea onion is used and loved by the greatest national and international chefs and even by Queen Elizabeth of England, who according to some revelations would have 200 kilos of Tropea onions shipped every year!

According to the locals, the sign of a good Cipolla Rossa di Tropea is that you can eat it like an apple!