Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Caramelised Baby Onions with Orange Blossom Honey
A delicate Sicilian side dish where sweet baby onions simmer in Marsala and orange blossom honey until glossy, tender and irresistibly aromatic.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 1 kg baby white onions
- ✓ 80 g unsalted butter
- ✓ 300 g orange blossom honey
- ✓ Half a glass of Marsala wine
- ✓ Salt to taste
📊 Nutritional Information
These caramelised baby onions with orange blossom honey are one of those quietly elegant Sicilian side dishes that somehow manages to elevate even the simplest roast. The perfume of miele di zagara — that fragrant honey made from orange blossom nectar — melts beautifully into the soft sweetness of Marsala wine, creating a glossy glaze that’s as aromatic as it is comforting.
Perfect for a Sunday lunch or a festive gathering, this dish brings the warmth of the Sicilian kitchen straight to your table. Serve it alongside roasted meats, grilled vegetables or a generous wedge of aged cheese — it slips effortlessly into just about any menu that calls for a touch of refinement.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Remove the outer membranes of the onions and rinse them well.
- 2
Boil them briefly in salted water for about 5 minutes; drain and peel.
- 3
Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat, then add the onions and let them colour lightly.
- 4
Pour in the Marsala and allow it to evaporate, then stir in the honey.
- 5
Cook gently, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the honey reduces and forms a caramel-like glaze around the onions.
- 6
Transfer to a serving dish and allow to cool slightly before serving.
💡 Tips and Variations
For a deeper flavour, add a pinch of freshly ground black pepper. You can also swap Marsala for another sweet Sicilian wine — a Moscato from Pantelleria works beautifully.
📦 Storage
- • Store the onions in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- • Freeze them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
- • To reheat, warm gently in a pan with a splash of water to keep the glaze from drying out.
🍷 Pairing
These onions pair wonderfully with a Sicilian white such as Grillo, or for something richer, try a glass of Cerasuolo di Vittoria.
Thank you for taking the time to explore this lovely Sicilian recipe. Give it a try and let yourself be wrapped in the sweet, fragrant charm of these caramelised onions with orange blossom honey!
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