Shallots instead of onions

**ancee** · 17-01-2016, 01:21 PM

hi Jimmy. I got a big bag from wilkos for �2 last year. About 50 in them. Can't remember the variety. They're in store now though. They really are perfect for a butty, as it is a bit of a pain chopping up one onion and then having half left which stinks the fridge out. Not as pungent either with a more delicate flavour. Ooh hark at me! Been watching a bit too much master chef I think!

**Lumpy** · 17-01-2016, 02:38 PM

I used to grow onions particularly the red ones but as both (normal and red) are so cheap I try and grow a few banana shallots.

Ancee is right about the flavour although as stated they can be tricky little beggars to peel and I don't think that they store as well as the standard onion.

Strangely I have never had rust on the shallots unlike the bigger cousins.

**Alison** · 17-01-2016, 04:03 PM

Originally posted by Lumpy View Post

I don't think that they store as well as the standard onion.

I find they store better than standard onions although it may depend on variety. I also think they're easier to grow in that they don't bolt or sulk.

**WendyC** · 17-01-2016, 04:14 PM

Red Sun is my favourite variety but I've not really grown one that I wouldn't grow again. Without wanting to tell you something you already know, they grow differently to onions in that one shallot set splits in 6-8 as it grows.

**Lisasbolt** · 17-01-2016, 06:05 PM

I love shallots, lovely sweeter taste to a normal onion.

You could do some silverskin onions that are used for pickling, i have seem the tied up in massive bunches with their skins dried out, but i have no idea how long they would last for.

**Bill Door** · 17-01-2016, 07:09 PM

No suggestions for variety as I think all shallots are good. I prefer my shallots pickled so I don't like them too big (use sherry vinegar). I also think that the smaller shallot is good for cooking whole. I grow the banana shallot (really an onion) for chopping and cooking as they are much easier to chop up small.

Give several types a go and see what works best for you.

Enjoy your gardening.

Bill

**Lumpy** · 17-01-2016, 07:43 PM

Alison is so right. All shallots depend upon their variety, soil comdition, weather in you location etc etc.

My advice, for what it's worth is give them a go and see what you think as to whether they forfil your needs.

Good Luck

**rary** · 17-01-2016, 08:58 PM

Hello Jimmy, you could try starting onion sets off in a 3in. square pot, I use a 15 section tray, plant three onions per section and grow them on, you could try four to a section for what you want, once weather permits I put them out into the garden, being grown close together they dont grow as big and I find that they are an ideal size for my requirements,

**Tripmeup** · 17-01-2016, 10:51 PM

As people say , you should be aware that they have a sweeter taste than onions ...so whilst I do grow some ( mainly potato onions), I couldn't be without my onions

**vixylix** · 18-01-2016, 02:56 PM

I only grow shallots - I love them! Last year I used shallot sets, but they are definitely fiddly to peel. This year I'm only growing banana shallots (from seed) - they're nicer, easier to peel and much more expensive in the super market!

**Jimmy** · 21-01-2016, 09:23 AM

Thanks for the replies.
I think Wilko are now selling Shallots.
Shall get the Wife to investigate.
Jimmy

**Gillykat** · 21-01-2016, 11:58 AM

I got two varieties of shallots from Wilko last week - Golden Gourmet and Red Sun - so I'll see how they go this year

Also got a bag of onion sets and when I opened it up to check they were all ok (only 5 were not as firm as I'd like so they went in the bin) I was still left with 168

That seems an awful lot so I may put some in pots and give them to my friend to sell in her cat rescue charity shop

**Bill Door** · 21-01-2016, 06:06 PM

So GillyKat you are not a paragardener then. Most of us would be trying resuscitation and electric shocks followed by module rest before throwing any shallot/onion out if it felt "soft".

You will be surprised that 168 is just not enough

but good luck and enjoy your gardening.

Bill

**Gillykat** · 22-01-2016, 09:11 PM

Originally posted by Bill Door View Post

You will be surprised that 168 is just not enough

but good luck and enjoy your gardening

I'll be cursing for chucking those five icky ones when I run out of onions before the end of summer then

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