Grocery Guides
Spanish Onions – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What are Spanish onions?
Spanish onions are a softball-sized onion variety that has yellow or white skin. The skin is fine-grained and has a mild and sweet flavor that can be worked into various cooked or raw dishes.
Where did Spanish onions originate from?
Spanish onions originated from the Mediterranean. Because of this, they grow well in hot and humid conditions.
What are the nutritional value and benefits of Spanish onions?
Spanish onions are low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals. They’re also easy to add to your daily diet and can be added to a variety of delicious recipes. They contain:
- Vitamin C
- Antioxidants
- Vitamins from the B family and folate
- Potassium
- Quercetin
- Fiber
- Prebiotics
How are Spanish onions grown?
The growing process for Spanish onions takes 4 months. Spanish onions must get a lot of sun exposure. The seeds should be spaced 4in apart.
Once the Spanish onions seeds have been planted, it’s crucial to keep the soil wet, but do not over-saturate with moisture because it will cause the seeds to rot. Sulfate-based fertilizer that growers use tends to produce a stronger tasting Spanish onion, while soil rich in nitrates will have a milder taste.
The bulbs will be ready to be harvested when the tops of the Spanish onions begin to turn brown and fall over. Once they’ve been harvested, they should be placed in a dry place and allowed to dry out for around a week.
Before placing into storage, the tops of the Spanish onions should be cut off with about 1in of the stem remaining.
When are Spanish onions in season?
Spanish onions are in season and available starting in fall through the winter months.
How do you pick out Spanish onions at the grocery store?
When buying Spanish onions at the store, look for firm options. They should have a nice yellow or white color and also should be free of any cuts or blemishes on the skin. This will help them stay fresher longer.
You can shop for Spanish onions through Instacart from the comfort of your own home. After selecting a product and adding it to your cart, use the “Instructions” selection to communicate with your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific instructions on how to choose the best merchandise.
How to store Spanish onions
Spanish onions can typically last a handful of weeks when stored correctly. However, they won’t last as long as other onions, mainly because they are made up of more water and sugar. The most crucial thing is to make sure they’re kept in a cool, dry place when storing them. They should also have plenty of ventilation. You can use an open paper bag or a pair of clean pantyhose to store the Spanish onions. It’s not recommended to use a plastic bag for storage because it will cause the Spanish onions to go bad quickly because of the lack of air. It’ll also cause too much moisture, and the Spanish onions will begin to rot.
How to tell if Spanish onions are bad
When Spanish onions go bad, their skin will develop soft and mushy spots. They’ll also develop dark spots, start smelling foul, and become moldy. Another indicator is that they’ll begin sprouting growths.
What can I substitute for Spanish onions?
Since Spanish onions are a variety of yellow or white onions, the best substitute for replacing them would be to find another yellow or white onion variety.
Yellow onions will have the sweetness of Spanish onions. Yellow onions are also great options for an all-purpose onion for preparing dishes. White onions are milder and would be best for raw dishes. Red onions can be used, and their flavor can range from mild to spicy. They are suitable replacements for grilling and in salads.
Where to find and buy Spanish onions
There are a variety of Spanish onions and other comparable produce options available through Instacart. You can use Instacart to shop and manage your weekly grocery list items with flexible same-day pick-up or delivery. If your schedule is busy, you can have your shopper leave your order at the door, and they’ll alert you once it’s arrived.
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