Creamed Onions

Name: Creamed Onions
Ingredients: 2 lb white pearl onions, left unpeeled; 1 1/4 teaspoons salt; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg; 1 1/2 cups coarse fresh white bread crumbs (from 1/4 lb bread with crusts removed)