How Do You Store Your Onions?

[Oola]

I've started harvesting my onions and am trying not to eat them all too quickly. Once I have enough I might try braiding/plaiting them and hanging them up, but I was wondering how other people store their onions? I think Mum puts hers in big onion nets and I seem to remember something to do with wicker store baskets. Either way I want to try and keep them for as long as possible, any ideas?

[Cheryl]

If we have a bumper crop, (that is, more than what would fit in the drawer of the spare fridge) we always just put them in a bushel basket and keep them out in the garage. This works perfectly until January when inevitably they freeze. Mind you, I still use the frozen onions for a lot of things, but once the weather warms and they thaw, they aren't very good.
c.

[Healing Hands]

I too have a bumper crop and I have been told that putting them in onion nets are good but where can I buy them from, does anyone know?

PS Oola, in this months CL magazine there is a nice recipe for shallots being pickled, if you do not have the magazine I can sedn you the recipe.

[franbee]

I think you have to store them in the light, otherwise they will sprout. The traditional eco way is to use tights, tie a knot after each onion, hang them up, then just cut off each one as required.

[Rustic Pumpkin]

Hanging, either traditionally plaiting them, or in nets, or old tights as franbee suggests. They must have air circulating.

My friend makes a quick 'pickle' by thinly slicing onions, putting them into a bowl or jar, sprinkling with sugar (I like to use brown) pouring over vinegar (not a lot) leaving them overnight or up to five days, and they make a passable 'instant' pickle.

[jazzactivist]

When I grew onions I used the old tights method. But one in the leg then tie a knot and continue until the leg is full. Hang the tights over a nail in a light, dry, storage area and just cut off and use. I found that fishnet stockings were the best, if you can get them!

[eleanor2]

i have had such a bumper crop.i have had them in the conservatory drying out.it is really important to dry them well.have lost a few in the past.i store some in a basket.the rest i tie in bunches of 5 and hang on my beams in the kitchen.i also have some hanging in the conservatory.the last few years i havnt wasted one.they last me to at least march april.