Dehydrated Walla Walla Sweet Onions

[Joe Hell]

It’s onion time in the valley right now and the culinary uses are endless. This year I tried something new by dehydrating about 15 lbs in the Weston 80L dehydrator. Also new to me is this version of sweets…these are a new red variety that might even be sweeter and milder than the original.

It took over 24 hours at 160 to get to a moisture content I was happy with and I then finished in the oven at 225 for about 40-45 minutes stirring them at the halfway point.

As they dried they became sweeter and sweeter and the finished product was toasty and crispy like potato chips. These are way more fun than ‘Funyuns’ snacks. I will be using these in all sorts of projects. They are sweet enough that there might even be a savory dessert on the horizon.

[PapaSop]

Joe Hell
Love onions but never thought about that. Interesting.

[Joe Hell]

I’ve got a million ideas how I could use these!

[Big DLD]

I do vidalia every year! Soups, burgers, potatoes… Its endless. Smoked turkey legs, wrapped in tin-foil and covered with them on the grill, mmmm mmmmm!

[Departing Contestant]

Joe Hell man what a wonderful idea, I agree the possibilities are endless

[macsinsac]

Those would be killer if you’re making your own rubs or topping French onion soup.

[tarp]

That’s kool Joe. Never thought about doing that. Looks like some good
funyuns.

[Joe Hell]

macsinsac I had some on a taco salad yesterday. They would be great in bbq sauce or dips for chips and veggies. The sweetness would also make a great pairing in a breakfast sausage or brat. I could also see this being used with jerky as well. This may sound crazy and/or revolting to some but a ‘salted caramelized sweet onion’ ice cream might actually work. Let the scoffing begin!

[macsinsac]

Joe Hell thanks for reminding me that the wife picked up a bag of Walla Wallas at Costco the other day. They’re going in the smoker along with a couple garlic heads. Oh yeah a butt too.

[Joe Hell]

macsinsac Nice! I might have pick up another 25 lb bad of the red variety for more dehydrating and salsa making before it’s too late! I’ve bought well over 100 lbs so far this year! (most of that was for gifts)

[craigrice]

Joe Hell I don’t know about funyun’s snacks but I remember years ago seeing a recipe for a onion pie it had potatoes and I think it was of British or that area of orign

[Joe Hell]

craigrice Sounds delicious! Sounds like it could be scalloped potatoes in a pie crust…that couldn’t suck!

[craigrice]

Joe Hell if I remember it was on a master cook dvd I might still be able to find it

[rdab]

craigrice These are great. I use wide mouth mason jars to put them in and I vacuum them with mason jar
attachment on my vacuum sealer. They keep indefinitely sealed like this.

[Joe Hell]

rdab I was going to use the vacuum attachment too but I couldn’t find my hose. I have so many recipe ideas running through my head it may not last that long. I ended up with a one gallon zip loc of the onions dried. I’ll need another to last me well into winter.

[raypete]

Joe Hell …
hmmm…maybe a walla walla onion and bay leaf creme brûlée or an ice cream or even a spiced walla walla onion, raisin & bourbon creme anglaise with bread pudding are in order if you decide to grind them
up.

[Joe Hell]

raypete oh man, that sounds good. I can’t wait indulge in some real food again…2 more lbs to go!

[raypete]

Joe Hell great job!