Shallot Growing 2021

My grandad planted parsnips in February under a plank, lifted off in mid March and left to it after that, not even watered through the summer. Brassicas moved about 18 inches each year as this years path would be next years bed.

Don't buy banana shallots in the supermarket and plant them as they don't multiply in the way that normal shallots do - but you can buy normal shallots and plant those with success.
Here speaks the voice of experience.

I've grown shallots quite often but the only thing we have used them for is pickling. Are there many other things they can be used for that they are better than onions?

Hello Mark

I've only grown them a couple of times and that was about 10 years ago.

Certainly there are recipes that call for shallots rather than onions but I'm no expert regards taste difference.

Saw this on a Riverford post and am tempted to try growing these onions (not shallots).

"Penny's January Jobs #3 - what worked?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Last year my biggest success was my tropea onions which were a massive hit in the field kitchen. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Onion cipolla di tropea is an Italian onion that they boast about being the sweetest most attractive onion ever! And chefs love it. You can cook it whole or slice it up. It’s super sweet and delicious. You can also use the tops like a spring onion. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We also strung some up and they looked great hanging in the Field Kitchen. Not one to store for too long but up until Christmas and then they were all used up! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It’s nearly time to sow them so I’ve already ordered more seed"

I've grown shallots quite often but the only thing we have used them for is pickling. Are there many other things they can be used for that they are better than onions?

I'm not keen on pickled onions, but I really enjoyed last year's shallots microwaved in butter, seasoning and herbs with the resulting liquid supplemented with either milk or cream then thickened if necessary.  Basically onion sauce with lumps of whole shallots.  It made a different side veg.

Don't buy banana shallots in the supermarket and plant them as they don't multiply in the way that normal shallots do - but you can buy normal shallots and plant those with success.
Here speaks the voice of experience.

You've given me an idea though veggie, I might plant a few Zebrune shallots from last year to save seeds from. I've not seen anything to say they're F1

I've grown shallots quite often but the only thing we have used them for is pickling. Are there many other things they can be used for that they are better than onions?

I've just had one this morning along with some cheese in a sandwich

I've grown shallots quite often but the only thing we have used them for is pickling. Are there many other things they can be used for that they are better than onions?

I've just had one this morning along with some cheese in a sandwich

I was just going  to 'like' your post Mcdood, but just couldn't bring myself to do it, raw onions at this time of day (or any time for that matter) is eeewwww , now cooked ones I can understand.   No kisses for you from your OH this morning then?

We have toothpaste where I come from JJB, but I still won't get any kisses