Sumac Onions

Is it really a recipe if it's just combining two things together? When the combination is this good, I think so. At least it's a combo that's a shame to keep to myself! Anyone who has been to an authentic falafel bar and stared at the dozens of fixings and sauces has definitely come face to face with these lovely onions, sliced thin and dotted with a fragrant violet spice. Did you try them? Do you remember that lovely flavor? Sour, vibrant, fresh.

Photo from Wikipedia

What is sumac?

Sumac is a spice made by crushing the berries of a middle eastern bush (Rhus coriaria) and making it into a powder. Its sour flavor made it a great substitute for fresh lemons when they were off season. Today it's a great option for adding a fresh sour flavor to a dish without adding acid. Middle Eastern cuisine uses it mostly as a flavoring on fish, chicken and vegetables. However, its use is most often associated with thinly sliced red onions.





To make this great condiment, take a sweet red onion and slice as thin as you can. If the onion is too spicy, soak the slices in warm water for a while to take the edge off.  Liberally sprinkle on the sumac and let it soak into the onions overnight. The fresh onion flavor mixed with the sour sumac creates a new, zesty flavor that adds a kick to any of your favorite recipes. You can find sumac at most Middle Eastern markets. I get mine from Bazaar Spices in Union Market.

Personally, I love to put sumac onions on my morning bagels and lox.

More traditional uses include:

Onion and Parsley Salad: A great side dish for lamb or fish. Finely chop parsely and mix together with sumac onions, a little lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper.

Chickpea Salad: Chop up the sumac onions and mix together with canned chickpeas, fresh mint, parsley, crushed garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. (If you like, you can include a little pomegranate syrup or fresh pomegranate seeds for sweetness.)

But feel free to get creative! If you have a favorite recipe using sumac onions, please leave a comment! I'm always looking for new things to eat. ;)