Storing shop purchased onions

littlemoney

I want to buy onions from my supermarket to use through the winter. What would be the best way to keep them for several months, if possible, as this winter I will be trying to go to the shops as infrequently as possible.

joedenise

They need to be stored in a cold, frost free place in order for them to last but don't think you'd be able to keep supermarket onions that long as they have usually be stored before sale.  You also need to make sure none have gone soft, mouldy or sprouting on a regular basis.

If you have lots of room to store then it's worth storing them in old stockings/tights with a knot between each onion and hang them from a roof rafter or similar but again need to check regularly.

Brambling

If you have room in your freezer you can chop and freeze them, just ensure they are well wrapped 

goldfinches

I made and froze a soffritto in late March, taking advantage of a y/s bargain. I defrosted and used it the other day to make mixed lentil use-it-up stew and it was perfectly fine so maybe you could batch cook and freeze in amounts suitable for your favourite recipes.

Brambling

Soffritto is a new name for me  . I've always called it a mirepoix which is the French name for it.  Like you I have it in my freezer 

goldfinches

Brambling said:

Soffritto is a new name for me  . I've always called it a mirepoix which is the French name for it.  Like you I have it in my freezer 

And jolly useful it is too, whatever you call it.
I have seen it ready chopped and bagged in plastic on the shelves in various shops and there are also all the variations such as added leeks and butternut squash with a sprinkling of chopped herbs labelled casserole/soup mix and so on ad infinitum. I always look at those for the inspiration and to see if they have been marked down as they are very helpful to those of us with painful hands.
One thing I do like to add frequently is fennel which does cook into a lovely golden colour when you put a tiny bit of butter in with the oil.
Anyway, enough of the culinary flights of fancy, time to get on with things. Night all, goldfinches.

Brambling

Another fennel fan here too

Apintplease

if you have a garage or cupboard under the stairs, get some old pairs of tights. 

Put an onion in a foot, tie a knot, add another, tie a knot - keep going till full and then hang up so there is plenty of air around them

When buying your onions, make sure they feel tight and dryish, its the moisture that rots onions. Another way of storing them is on newspaper in old fashioned crates, just keep them cool, darkish and with  good air circulation

maman

Brambling said:

Soffritto is a new name for me  . I've always called it a mirepoix which is the French name for it.  Like you I have it in my freezer 

As an alternative to the real thing, I just chop up any bits from the fridge that are about to go off and freeze (carrots, celery, BNS etc) and also the soft central stalk from broccoli. Ideal for soups casseroles, pasta sauces. 

Wicked_Lady

I chop and freeze spare onions and leeks but not had much success with celery.

balabooberlies

Don't all shout at once.........but in my cupboard i have onion flakes/granules.  Bought them in last lockdown but have never opened it preferring to use fresh.  Might be handy................