Small Onion (Sambar onions) 200g

These are small onions, known as sambar onions in English, chinna vengayam in Tamil, and gaddalu in Telugu; they are similar to what is sold in Germany as Schalotten (shallots). They are smaller and more intensely flavoured than regular onions, with thin reddish-purple skin.

As the name suggests, they are a key ingredient in sambar, and are also used whole in a small onion sambar or fried into a base for various South Indian curries.

How to use

• Trim the root end, then peel; soaking briefly in warm water can make peeling easier.
• They are often used whole or halved rather than finely chopped, since they are already small.
• Store in a cool, dry place rather than the fridge; they keep for a few weeks.