Hospitality, published in 1922, offers a simple preparation of this frugal side dish. This retro comfort food features large, flavorful white onions filled with a savory mixture of ham, herbs, and breadcrumbs. Like many vintage recipes, this one is very vague on quantities and temperatures; use your best judgement, depending on how many onions you think you'll need. It's a hearty and satisfying side dish that would complement a wide range of proteins. Onions are somewhat underappreciated, and may seem like a humble vegetable, but they have a rich history dating back to the Bronze Age. The oldest known onion harvest can be traced back over 7,000 years, to around 5,000 BC.
Remove the skins from the onions and parboil in slightly salted water for ten minutes. Drain and set aside to cool. Mix together some bread-crumbs, a little grated or finely chopped ham, a little of the onion removed from the center of the onions. Season and moisten with a little melted butter or cream. Fill this mixture into the cavities of the onions, after the centers of the onions have been removed. Sprinkle the top with buttered bread-crumbs, and bake in the oven until tender. Use about one-half cupful of ham to a cupful and a half of bread-crumbs.