The scallion (also known as spring onion,salad onion, onion sticks, green shallots,siobhes or green onion in many countries) is an edible plant of the genus Allium. The upper green portion is hollow. It lacks a fully developed root bulb. Harvested for their taste, they are milder than most onions. They may be cooked or used raw as a part of salads or Asian recipes. Diced scallions are used in soup, noodle and seafood dishes, as well as sandwiches, curries or as part of a stir fry. To make many Eastern sauces, the bottom quarter-inch of scallions are commonly removed before use. Cut at root level.
The species most commonly associated with the name is the Welsh onion, Allium fistulosum. “Scallion” is sometimes used for Allium cepa(formerly Allium ascalonicum), better known as the shallot. The words scallion and shallot are related and can be traced back to the Greekaskolonion as described by the Greek writer Theophrastus; this name, in turn, seems to originate from the Philistine town of Ascalon (modern-day Ashkelon in Israel). The shallots themselves apparently came from farther east.
Health Benefits of Spring Onion
Green onions are known to reduce the levels of cholesterol and lower the blood pressure, thus reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. They also contain substances that prevent the formation of blood clots (in smaller amounts then regular onions, but still useful).
Traditional Chinese medicine uses them to cure sinus infections, probably due to their high content of vitamin C, which is also good when fighting against cold and flu.
Spring onions contain a substance called quercitin, which is used against tumors. That’s why eating them regularly reduces the risk for several types of cancer, in particular colon cancer. This substance might also be associated with some anti-inflammatory effects, thus reducing the symptoms in cases of arthritis.
For diabetes patients, spring onions are particularly beneficial, because they help keep sugar levels under control and increase the tolerance to glucose.
Calories in Spring Onions
As you might imagine, the calorie content of spring onions is very low, roughly about 32 calories per 100 grams.
