Carl Sandburg at one time stated that life itself is like an onion: “It has a bewildering number of layers; you peel them off, one by one, and sometimes you cry.” Younger people today will remember that the animated character Shrek, described himself, an ogre, as being like an onion. Peeled pearl onions are actually quite sweet and mild. They are available in several colors: white, red and gold. The dainty pearl onion is about ¾ to 1 ¼ in diameter. The convenient size is perfect for soups, casseroles, or stews and they’ve even been known to show up in a martini. Red pearl onions are exceptionally crispy and like the other colors, can be enjoyed whole or grilled as kabobs. Despite their pungent reputation, onions contain valuable chemicals, that are believed to lower blood pressure and increase circulation. Loaded with Vitamins A and C, peeled pearl onions should be stored for short periods only.