What Is A Shallot?
Question:
What is a Shallot? My recipe calls for a shallot – what is a shallot?
Answer:
Shallots are a vegetable within the onion family. Yet, they are shaped more like garlic – within a shallot bulb there are usually from 2-6 cloves. Shallots usually have a copper brown colored skin (although it can range from grey-brown-purple) and are white inside with tinges of usually purple, but sometimes green.
The taste of a shallot is slightly sweeter and milder than a regular onion, but it still has a bit of kick.
What Is A Shallot?
How to Choose a Shallot
Pick shallots that are firm, round and dry. Avoid any shallots with dark spots, soft spots or sprouts. You want them dry to avoid the formation of mold.
Shallots can be eaten raw or cooked. They are readily available since they grow all year round.
When using in a recipe, if one shallot is called for then you can generally use all the cloves within one bulb. They will cook slightly quicker than a regular onion.
This picture shows one of the shallot cloves peeled and sliced in half.
What Is A Shallot?
More About Shallots
How to Store Shallots?
Store shallots in a cool, dry place.
How Long Do Shallots Last?
Properly stored, shallots last about 3 to 4 weeks.
What can I Substitute for a Shallot?
Shallot Substitutes | Amount | Substitute |
---|---|---|
Shallot substitute | 1 Tablespoon | 2/3T minced Onion + 1/3T minced Garlic |
Same | *OR* a small Red Onion | |
Same | *OR* Chopped white part of Scallions |