I have been told that one can buy onion sets that are sold from bulk bins at planting time, to use for pickled pearl onions. I was also told they were not treated with anything, thus safe to use. Does anyone know if this is so?? I've not done it, tho tempted several times at that price vs. the 2.50 -3.50 price for a berry basket of pearl onions sold in supermarket produce areas!
In the mean time, i grow the Rakkyo onions, which are teaddrop shaped, rather than round.
Looking forward to other's opinions.

Try Barletta, it's available as seeds. Gets about pinball size at the most.

Pickled onions can be made from regular pearl onions or from the bulbils of Pearlzwiebel - Allium ampeloprasum. Here's a link to get you started.

Jim

Here is a link that might be useful: Pearlzwiebel - Allium ampeloprasum