Today onions are available for Rs 80 a kg in most parts of Mumbai and they are not the ‘pinkest’ nor well-rounded, leave alone the tears they extort.

But onion shortage is not a new crisis which has suddenly hit us out of nowhere. In fact, it has become quite periodical. However, one report says that it is the media that really creates the crisis.

Farmers in Lasalgaon have been upset with the media. They hold the media responsible for sensationalising the rising the prices of onions, thus hampering their income. “This is the only chance they have to make money and by putting the rising prices in the spotlight, the government is building pressure to bring down the prices. Thus, the anger against the media,” explained an onion exporter.

Sad that people still like to shoot the messenger. Having covered onion crisis in Lasalgaon, Nashik Maharashtra some years ago, I was witness to sacks full of onions rotting away in the godowns while the rest of state/country reeled under a severe shortage. So media is not alone to be blamed, the greed to store for a more lucrative tomorrow plays a bigger role.

But why the big issue over onions. Surely, we can do without them. There are many substitutes says this article.

I think grounded channa (besan) and yogurt/ chaas is a good substitute for adding bulk to your gravy while substituting onions. So while you prepare a Punjabi curry or say a dish requiring a voluminous gravy, this combination is apt to give it its bulk and lend a good taste too! – Sanjeev Kapoor, Celebrity Chef, Khana Khazana

Housewives try simpler ways out to meet the crisis. One grates potatoes and uses for the phodni, while another uses tiny pieces of garlic. Yet another uses spring onions while those who can afford (and health permits) use tomatoes. Some just parcel the onion they get as accompaniment when ordering at a Mughlai restaurant and take it home.

And now there is news about India importing onions from Afghanistan

With onion prices continuing to remain high, Punjab based traders have started importing it from Afghanistan through Attari-Wagah land route in Amritsar.

Don’t know whether Afghanistan onions taste different but the Osh Pyozee (stuffed-onions dish) from the same country is quite something I hear. Vegetarians do not open the link – the dish is not as innocent as it sounds.

And while we are on recipes, have you heard of Zwiebelkuchen. According to Wikipedia, it means onion cake in German and is either a one-crust pie made of steamed onions, diced bacon, cream, and caraway seeds on a yeast dough or a leavened dough that is particularly popular in the German wine-growing regions.

This is the recipe for the Onion cake for those who have outlandish tastes.

I discovered quite something else in the market today. Something called the Brown Onion paste available at Rs 58 only. If you promise to use just a teaspoon every time, you can easily cook some 30 dishes with this paste. And since the onions are fried, you will consume less gas too.

Last month, onions were costlier than stocks too said an online site. One newspaper spoke about how apples have become cheaper than onions but why the comparison at all? You cannot give tadka with apples. Period.

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