Family

Amaryllidaceae

Description

Red torpedo Tropea scallion is an elongated, deep-rose–colored onion variety prized for its sweet, mild flavor and striking appearance. Originally from the coastal region of Calabria, Italy—particularly around the town of Tropea—it is often enjoyed raw in salads, lightly grilled, or roasted to bring out its natural sugars. Its slender, torpedo-like bulbs and tender texture set it apart from typical round onions, and it matures relatively quickly compared to storage types.

In the garden, this cultivar prefers full sun, loose and fertile soils, and even moisture throughout its growing season. While generally grown as an annual for its bulbs, it can also be harvested young as a scallion or allowed to bolt for ornamental, globe-shaped flower heads that attract bees and other pollinators.