Saturday, March 3, 2012

Riverwalker's Pics - Shallots in the Garden



Shallots  usually have a very mild taste that combines the flavor of a sweet onion with a hint of garlic type flavor. While often mistakenly considered just another variety of onion, shallots are actually a separate species of onion plant that is characterized by the fact they actually grow in clusters.

They are great to eat all by themselves.


Salad and an appetizer all in one!

Got greens in the garden?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

6 comments:

Josh said...

Never tried growing shallots in the garden. I think your information is incorrect though - they are actually a variety of the onion species (allium cepa). They are allium cepa variety aggregatum.

http://www.uniprot.org/taxonomy/28911
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shallot
http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?101652

riverwalker said...

To: Josh

You are correct and they are now considered a part of the "onion" family of plants.

“Shallots, like onions and garlic, are now classified in the plant family Amaryllidaceae, but were formerly considered to belong to the separate family Alliaceae.”

Re: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shallot

The best thing to remember about shallots is they go really good with a bowl of pinto beans.

Thanks.

RW

Josh said...

RW:

Not a big bean eater; I like some cajun black or red beans and rice though. I've don't think I've ever seen anyone growing shallots around here (although I'm no gardening expert). I’m a big Food Network junky though, and I’ve seen them used, and used them myself in recipes that are usually French or Italian in origin. Usually the American fare calls for regular old white, red, or yellow bulb onion. That’s really interesting that they can be grown here though. A lot of recipes I’ve seen say that white onion can be substituted for shallot, but I think you’re spot on that they do have a very subtle garlicky flavor. I’ve never tried eating one on its own though!

Josh said...

...I've don't think I've ever seen anyone growing shallots...

I don't think... oops!

riverwalker said...

To: Josh

I ate a lot of red beans and rice when I lived in Louisiana. Mostly pinto beans now with a hunk of onion.

The greens on the shallots are great when chopped up and added to a baked potato.

They grow fairly well for me in my area.

Thanks Josh.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: Josh

OOPS is okay. We all have them once in a while.

BTW, forgot to mention that I love to eat onions raw...you get the best flavor experience that way.

Thanks.

RW

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