Onions are not only used as spices but also have various uses. One of its numerous and valuable uses, since practically all houses grow kutchay in their backyards, is that of medicine. Kutchay is used as antidote for dizziness, cough for kids and insect bites. Considering its food usage, the onion leaf is a good appetizer. The produced young onions invite the Ibanags to come up with an appetizer. The kutchay leaves must be young, soft and green and it must be fresh from the garden to have a good flavor and could be eaten raw.
The ensalada nga kutchay is very easy to prepare. First, the fresh onion leaves are cut into one half inch lengthwise. The leaves are mixed with chopped ginger, sliced tomatoes and bagoong or fish paste. It is then served on a platter.
