Most onions are grown to a mature size before they are used. Others are harvested when they are small and both the green tops and small bulbs are used, often in salads. Onions are used primarily as a condiment, or a seasoning for food. They are added to soups, stews, sauces and stir fries. Some of the milder onions are eaten raw in salads.
Onions are a common addition to pickles and relishes.
Onions contain vitamin A and C, phosphorus and potassium. Before onions can be put into storage they must be cured. Curing is the process of allowing the onion to dry thoroughly. Onions are lifted by a mechanical digger and left to dry on the field. An onion is cured when its neck is tight and its outer scales are dry.