Cooking for 12 people & need to substitute the white onion.

one of my guests has digestive issues with white onion, but can eat scallions. Is this a good substitute, & what amount of chopped scallions is equal to the medium onion?

Eileen21
  • Posted by: Eileen21
  • November 19, 2023
  • 565 views
  • 4 Comments
Brothy Bean Soup With Parmesan
Recipe question for: Brothy Bean Soup With Parmesan

4 Comments

Lori T.
Lori T. November 20, 2023
Instead of trying to chop up that many scallions, why not substitute a good size leek? You would just use the white and light green portion of course, and it's got a lighter onion flavor than scallion as well. This is a more Mediterranean style soup as well, and leek would not be at all out of place or flavor profile.
 
Nancy
Nancy November 20, 2023
Lori - I think your suggestion of leek is a good one (both for taste and easier prep). But I’m a bit worried for the hostess on the guest’s bad reaction to (only?) one member of the onion family. So I would check with the guest about any allium before cooking.
 
Lori T.
Lori T. November 20, 2023
I assumed that the question had been asked, which is why she knows that there is a problem with white onion but not scallions. The allium family is a large one, and onions, scallions, garlic, chives and leeks are all members. That would mean this entire recipe would be unsuitable if we eliminate all the alliums. For a start, that boxed vegetable stock and bouillon cube will all contain onion and garlic. It calls for 3 cloves of garlic as well. The guest says they can eat scallions, and I assume garlic. That being the case, they should also have no problem with leeks. If they do have problems, then the entire recipe is unsuitable for them.
 
Nancy
Nancy November 20, 2023
Sources say medium onions weigh 5 to 8 oz. each (about 140 to 225g).And that medium sized scallions are about 15g each.

So to replace 1 medium onion, use about 10 scallions. As this recipe serves 2-4, that means make three times the original.

Out of excess of caution, I might omit the onions entirely or serve the chopped green bits as an optional garnish at table. There is plenty of flavor in this soup, even without them.
 
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