Tip: How to Cut Onions (When You're Super Sensitive)

I have a tip for today!

I can't hardly cut raw onions. I tear up so fast it's almost like a magic trick. We only buy sweet onions because the fumes aren't as bad. Even when I make my partner cut them across the apartment with the oven hood on to sweep up the fumes, there are times I'm still wiping tears away for several minutes.

This is a problem since I really love cooking with onion. I'm not a huge fan of raw onion flavor, but if it gets cooked even halfway to soft, I'm a fan. 

I very recently discovered two things that help me cut onions with ease now. I've been an onion cutting fool since I figured it out, so I have to share.

Yes, I now cut onions with swim goggles on! These are fairly old goggles -- probably 6 or 7 years old now. I took a couple swimming classes in college, and my best friend (who was on the high school swim team) helped me get my goggles and hair cap. I remember being really surprised how snug the goggles were supposed to be. It's that snugness now that makes these the perfect tool in the kitchen. After all, science explains that it's the "fumes" from the onion that hits your eyeballs and creates watering (check this video if you want more info or other tips about cutting onions).

Since they're old-ish, not being used under water, and I have to wear glasses, they're actually kind of foggy when I use them in the kitchen. It's totally worth it, though.

I use those gloves just so I don't smell like onion for the next three days. Nothing is weirder than realizing in your Wednesday shower that your hands still smell like Sunday's onions.

If you have swim goggles and are super sensitive to cutting onions, try this! It may not work for you, but I think it has a really good chance.