Sumac Onions

Sumac onions are a popular recipe that comes from the Middle East. It is created with a simple preparation of thinly sliced onions with the addition of the sumac spice. Sumac is an unusual spice that has a citrus flavour. It grows in abundance in parts of the Middle East, North Africa and the Mediterranean regions.

Sumac is derived from the berries of the sumac plant, this spice has a tart flavour that can be compared to a combination of lemon and vinegar. These flavours enhance the natural sweetness of the onions.

What is Sumac?

You can use Sumac to season meat, salad and vegetables. If you travel to Turkey, Lebanon or Iran. You will commonly see sumac on onions. Interestingly, this condiment pairs well with kebabs and meat. If you’re feeling for a unique citrus flavour condiment, then making sumac onions is a great idea. This dish is also perfect to take to a family barbecue.

What do you need to make Sumac Onions?

Parsley, Red Onion, Sumac, Olive Oil, Lemon.

This recipe is essentially onions marinated in the sumac spice. Red onions are sweeter than white onions, and they have a mild taste. However, you can also use white onions in its place. If you want a fancier side-dish, you can use thinly slice shallots or baby onions cut into halves.

With the vibrant flavours of the sumac along with the Olive oil that coats the onions, this dish creates an interesting medley of flavours. Lemon juice adds a burst of acidity and ties all of the ingredients together. For those of you that enjoy a sweeter condiment, consider adding a tablespoon of honey to enhance the flavours.

Where can you buy Sumac from? Most supermarkets will have it in the international aisle. Health food stores, Middle-eastern and Mediterranean stores should have it. Moreover, it is available through online retailers.

Instructions

Start by washing and lightly chopping your parsley. The next step is to thinly slice your red onions. Do not overlook this step. Red and white onions have a robust, pungent flavor, which can be too much for some people, so we strongly advise thinly slicing your onions.

One way to reduce the intense flavours of the onions is to soak them in a little bit of cold water for five to ten minutes. This step will reduce the spicy heat of the onion and make this dish less pungent.

The next step is to add the Sumac and olive oil. Add a squeeze of lemon juice. It is essential to mix the ingredients well. You want the sumac to coat all of the onion and parsley. For the best results, let it rest for ten to fifteen minutes. Allowing the flavours to meld together will help the onions absorb the sumac. The sumac’s tartness with the onion’s sweetness will produce a beautiful flavour.

What to Serve with your Sumac onions?

You can serve Sumac Onions with a wide variety of dishes. Consider adding it to your salads for a crunchy tartness. If you are making a grilled cheese sandwich. This side dish will add a lovely surprise flavor. Many people in the Middle East indulge in a Mezze platter, and often sumac onions paired with Baba Ghanoush, Hummus and Grilled meat is truly a feast to delight every sense!

How to Store your Sumac onions?

Store in the fridge for three to five days. Onions left in the fridge for a few days tend to release water, if the onions become mushy, it might not be edible. It is important to check the sumac onions to ensure it is edible after two to three days. Different fridge temperatures will affect the longevity of the condiment. Freezing sumac onions is not recommended, it will alter the texture of the onions.