The Core of an Onion

Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.)
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From the New York Times- bestselling author of Cod and Salt, a delectable look at the cultural, historical, and gastronomical layers of one of the world's most beloved culinary staples - featuring original illustrations and recipes from around the world.

As Julia Child once said, “It is hard to imagine a civilization without onions.”

Historically, she's been right-and not just in the kitchen. Uniquely flourishing in just about every climate and culture around the world, onions have provided the essential basis not only for sautés, stews, and sauces, but for medicines, metaphors, and folklore. Abundantly commonplace yet extraordinarily indispensable, the onion is Kurlansky's most flavorful infatuation yet as he sets out to explore how and why the crop reigns from Italy to India and everywhere in between.

Featuring historical images and his own pen-and-ink drawings, Kurlansky begins with the science behind the only sulfuric acid-spewing plant, then digs through the twenty varieties of onion and the cultures built around them. Among the first domesticated and cultivated crops, onions were seen by the ancient Egyptians as a symbol of eternity, the Greeks as an agent of strength, and the Chinese as a supplement for intelligence. Entering the kitchen, Kurlansky celebrates the raw, roasted, creamed, marinated, and pickled. Including a recipe section featuring more than 100 dishes from around the world, The Core of an Onion shares the secrets to celebrated Parisian chef Alain Senderens’ onion soup eaten to cure late-night drunkenness; Hemingway's raw onion and peanut butter sandwich; and the Gibson, a debonair gin martini garnished with a pickled onion.

Just as the scent of sautéed onions will lure anyone to the kitchen, The Core of an Onion is sure to draw readers into their savoury stories at first taste.

Mark Kurlansky’s books are always a wonderful mix of history and cooking – I love onions. LOVE THEM – I put them in everything and have memories of my one sister pulling every piece out of the meals my mother made…she is still a picky eater who lives on hot dogs, ham, KD, pork chops and 5 large ice capps a day from Timmy's. (Is it any wonder that she cannot get her blood sugar below 20 even with insulin?)

I often call interesting or twisty movies and books ONIONS as you peel off a layer and find something new: this book is like this as well: there are stories, histories, anecdotes and some darn great recipes....and now I want a bowl of French Onion soup and a Gibson for lunch … not gonna happen as it's too darn hot.
#shortbutsweetreviews

Mark Kurlansky hits another home-run. He is an Energizer Bunny -- he keeps on producing and producing. I can't get enough! He is a master historian focusing from a seed kernel his stories branch across an amazing timeline.

Mark Kurlansky does it again! I loved Cod, Salt, and Milk, and Onion takes its place among his celebrated works of microhistory.

If you’ve ever secretly marveled at the utility of this versatile vegetable or declared it the bedrock of all savory cuisine, you’ll enjoy this romp through the humble onion’s journey through time. The story is interwoven with historical recipes that speak to the importance of its flavor in so many culture’s experiences.

Who knew a history of onions could be so interesting? I definitely have to read more by Mark Kurlansky because you can feel how passionate he is through his writing and I need that in my life. There’s history, recipes, tall tales and small ones—all about onions! Absolutely fascinating, a great read, especially if you love learning new/odd things.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love learning a lot about one specific thing and how it deals with history and culture and food, and this book is PERFECT for that. I LOVED Salt, and I knew I would love this. Was it super interesting and exciting to read this many pages about onions? You betcha! Mark Kurlansky is an excellent writer and keeps you engaged the whole time.