What is the state vegetable for the U.S. State of Utah?

Utah designated the Spanish sweet onion as the official state vegetable in 2002. Utah also recognizes an official historic vegetable (sugar beet).

What is interesting about the Spanish sweet onion is that there are two varieties of Spanish sweet onions: white and yellow. Also, the Spanish sweet onion is a long-day type of vegetable, meaning it needs 14 hours of sunlight each day.

It is the type of plant that can become 2 feet tall and grows 3-inch bulbs, which are either white or yellow, depending on the variety. The cold-season crop is vulnerable to thrips (minute, slender insects with fringed wings and unique asymmetrical mouths) and onion maggots. Additionally, Spanish sweet onions are mostly grown indoors in mid-to late September. Growers find that it is best to set out transplants in mid-November, about 50 to 60 days after seeding.

It has been shown that people like Spanish sweet onions because they lack the sharp, astringent taste of other onions; they really do taste sweet. Plus they are fantastic when thinly sliced and served in salads or on top of sandwiches. They can range in color from white to yellow and often have a flattened or squashed appearance. Also the sweet onions do tend to be more perishable. Thus it is a good idea to store them in the refrigerator.