Shallots, Organic

Shallots are a botanical variety of garlic. Like garlic, they form smaller heads of cloves with skin that varies from gold to red to brown, and with the flesh varying from white tinged with green or magenta. They have a flavour similar to onion, and are also planted in the late fall to be ready for harvest the following summer, or can be planted in early Spring to be ready for harvest in Ontario in late fall. They can be stored long into the off-season months when kept in a cool, dry place.Shallots are closely related to onions and garlic. They bring a more subtle and sweet flavour to a dish then the stronger flavoured onion.

Shallots can be used in many of the same ways as onions or garlic. They can be used as a flavouring or aromatic herb, and can be used fresh, sauteed, roasted, grated, chopped, or pickled. They can also be sliced and deep-fried to be used as a side dish.

Shallots are closely related to scallions, leeks, garlic, and chives. The part called a 'shallot' is the bulb that grows in the ground, with a stalk that grows above the ground and puts out flowes. Shallots are thought to have originated in Central or Southwest Asia, travelling from there to India and the eastern Mediterranean. Most shallots available in Canada are variations on the French Red Shallot, rather than the Persian shallot.