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Insight Horizon Media

What are Tropea onions?

Author

Michael Henderson

Published Mar 10, 2026

What are Tropea onions?

Tropea red onion is the name given to the red onion grown in Calabria and produced between Briatico and Capo Vaticano (in the province of Vibo Valentia).

How do you grow Tropea onions?

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 60-75ºF. Sowing Indoors: Start 8-10 weeks before last frost with soil temperatures 60-75ºF. Sow in flats 1/4” deep, 1/4” apart. Transplant seedlings out mid/late spring, 2-6” apart.

What is Tropea known for?

Tropea is known for its cliffside shops and architecture – it is a town built on cliffs. So while you can admire the beaches and water below, you can also gaze at the beautiful sunsets in the distance. The dramatic cliffs provide the perfect backdrop for the gorgeous sunsets.

How do you eat Tropea onions?

Red Tropea onions can be eaten in countless ways: cooked or raw; in salads, sandwiches or other dishes. In the caramelized version, they can be served as an excellent appetizer or as an accompaniment to stewed meat.

Is red Burgundy a short day onion?

Red Burgundy onion is a short day bulbing onion well suited for the Southern California area. Its mild sweet flavor is great for cooking.

What are torpedo onions?

A red Italian specialty onion that is shaped similar to a torpedo or spindle. It has reddish purple skin with pale red flesh that has a mild sweet flavor. It grows 6 to 8 inches in length and up to 3 inches in diameter in the thickest area. This onions color and flavor make it a nice addition to salads.

Is Tropea worth visiting?

Deep in Calabria, the toe of Italy’s boot, Tropea doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves. The town is perched above the Tyrrhenian Sea on the Coast of the Gods and is stunningly beautiful with fantastic beaches, a charming historical center, and restaurants serving fresh seafood.

Is Calabria safe to visit?

Contrary to the various opinions of some travel guides, consumers of mafia-movies and even some Italians, the highest crime rates in the peninsula can be found in the country’s North-West, setting Calabria, in fact, as one of the safest regions.

What is special about Roscoff onions?

Roscoff onions are distinctive pink onions with a unique, mild flavour hailing from the French region of the same name. Shay Cooper stuffs them with creamy sauce, Parmesan and crunchy breadcrumbs served alongside a generous slice of exquisitely pink beef rump cap.

How do you grow Texas Grano onions?

For direct sowing, sow three seeds per inch 1/2″ deep in light, rich soil and full sun. Thin the seedlings 2-6″ apart, depending on the desired size. Thinned onions can be transplanted or used for fresh eating.

How do you plant a White Sweet Spanish onion?

Sowing Indoors: Start 8-10 weeks before last frost with soil temperatures 60-75ºF. Sow in flats 1/4” deep, 1/4” apart. Transplant seedlings out mid/late spring, 2-6” apart. Liquid fertilize seedlings every 7-10 days.

What can I do with torpedo onions?

Torpedo onions are best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as roasting, grilling, sautéing, and braising. Their mild flavor is sweet enough that they can be consumed raw and sliced on sandwiches, burgers, and wraps, chopped into salads or minced into dips and dressings.