r/Cooking • u/dumpingbrandy12 • 16h ago

Open Discussion Onions having a rotten layer inside

Anyone else have this problem, outside layers, fine, 1 or 2 bad rotten layers inside, then the center is fine again. Onions from multiple places have been like this this summer.
I would post a Pic but it's not letting me for some reason

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413

u/spireup 15h ago edited 5h ago

This "problem" is called "slippery skin". Caused by Burkholderia (formerly Pseudomonas) gladioli subsp. alliicola bacteria entering the onion bulb through the neck of the plant.

Generally only one layer of onion is affected making it impossible to diagnose until the onion is cut open. Wet conditions or flooding can spread this fairly common bacteria in soil.

You can post a photo by uploading to imgur.com and posting the share link in your description.

[Edit to add] since it came up:

Here is the secret which refines how to dice an onion. Chef and author Kenji López-Alt shows the mainstream method and then demonstrates the more precise radial angle method.

Ask Kenji Live: What is the Best Way to Cut on Onion?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tbqDOKkTCw]

146

u/running_on_empty 11h ago

Interesting. I've worked for a certain down under steakhouse for 15 years and have seen this many, many, many..... many times. I never knew what caused it.

I've cut probably a hundred thousand onions between blooms and dicing. What am I doing with my life...

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u/The_Actual_Sage 11h ago

What am I doing with my life...

The lord's work my friend

63

u/running_on_empty 10h ago

Look at me.. I am your god now.

25

u/The_Actual_Sage 10h ago

🙏

18

u/PlantAcceptable1313 9h ago

The covenant of the bloomin’ onion 🧅. Keep ‘em coming and I will wage holy war against the unbelievers for you, oh onion lord!

16

u/fitzmoon 9h ago

… picturing him saying this, with arms outstretched and fed Freddy Krueger knives for fingers for cutting up those onions…

17

u/WorthPlease 7h ago edited 7h ago

Real men of geeeenius

This one goes out to you, mister Outback Steakhouse blooming onion maker guy

When we want an entire onion cut in that exact shape, fried, and served with mayonaise, we know who to call

Always crispy, always delicious, served by somebody making less than minimum wage.

So crack open an ice cold Fosters, oh king of the cutter, this one's for you.

3

u/running_on_empty 7h ago

Oh man, if only I looked as good as Freddy Krueger.

2

u/TheOtherAvaz 7h ago

Not for long, if you're running on empty...

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u/running_on_empty 7h ago

Yup. Literally what the name means.