Round Sirka Pyaaz

The nostalgia of SIRKA PYAAZ for a North Indian is unmatched. There was a time that all restaurants(even if it was Chinese) used to serve round, white,pink and purple drops of heaven which we used to put eat one whole at a time. How they enhanced the taste of the meal!  It was served by default, how bread is served in any American or European restaurants. After you place your order a 3 bowl set of sirka pyaz, Pickle and Pudina chutney used to be served almost as an appetizer. While we eagerly waited for food we used to dig into the pyaz dipped in some chutney and dabbed with little achar. Now one has to order for bland and boring onion rings even in North Indian restaurant sometime.

This is another accompaniment we hardly make at home. We make all sorts of salads and raita but never "the sirka pyaaz". Here is how you can make this easy, tasty supplement.

Ever wondered what can the Shallots or Sambar onions which we see in supermarkets (pic below) be used for. We usually only associate it with Sambhar or Rassam in the Southern parts of India, but these little devils can be used to make the beloved Vinegar onions.

What do you need?

1. Shallots or Sambhar onions as below (you even get peeled ones in the market now) 500gm 
2. White vinegar - 1/2 cup
3. Lemon-1/2
4. Salt -1 spoons and Sugar 1/2 spoon
5. Red Chilli powder -1/2 spoon
6. 1/2 cup water

What you need to do?

1. Peel the shallots and remove the white hard roots if any
2. Make 2  slits in the onion along the length(so that vinegar can go in)
3. Mix all the ingredients and toss the shallots
4. Mix well and keep it in a bottle or bowl
5. Best eaten after 10 hrs of soaking 

MAKE IT.  PRESERVE IT. SERVE IT!