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My local Waitrose are selling "Echalion Shallots".  Are they just another variety of long shallots, aka banana shallots?

If I bought some, could I plant them and grow them like ordinary shallots?

I like them because they are big - about 4" long.  I'd only need to peel 1 instead of 2 or 3 small round ones ::)

;D ;D

Just googled it and it seemed that they are the same as banana shallots...good idea, saves peeling as you say!!

;)

Bought some today at Lidl's for planting out. On the front of the pack it says Echalion Shallots, but on the back they're labled as banana shallots.

But please can anyone tell me when I should be using shallots and when to use onions. I've only ever cooked with onions before.

???

Good question Apple!! I use shallots where I only want a tiny bit of onion, and find they have a more delicate flavour.

There is probably a sensible, intelligent answer waiting in the wings though...

;D

katy - just that!

But DO remember that s/market bulbs are NOT certified.

Echalion are thought to be, by the French, the best shallot there is. I grew some last year from the Garlic farm and they were very tasty.

However you maybe too late this year as they are best planted in November/December. Though the garlic Farm still have them listed so you may be lucky

http://www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk/shopgarlic.asp?catid=7&cat=Planting+Garlic+Order+Now&pcatid=1

Jerry

My Eschalote Grise (& Jermor) are still waiting till next month.

Quote from: tim on February 01, 2006, 09:42:21
My Eschalote Grise (& Jermor) are still waiting till next month.

Tim

Interested to know why you wait for March for the Eschalote as everyting I have read before says they are best planted in the autumn, is because of your white rot problems?

Thanks

Jerry

Our local horticulture wholesaler doesn't supply them till around now. Mine go in around March with good results. I rather think that with them being hardy you CAN plant them in Autumn rather than should.

No, Jerry - just because I've always done it that way.

First thing I look up this am = "Planting  In the South, Shallots can be planted in January or February: in the North it is best to wait until March".

I regard 650' in the North Cotswols as north!

Thanks both.

I may try a few more in Feb then as I have a spot. My autumn planted ones always seem to take an age to pop their heads up but I get a decent yield.

Jerry

what about eschalote seeds? was going to plant mine this week or next.

Quote from: Apple Dumpling on January 31, 2006, 23:00:52


But please can anyone tell me when I should be using shallots and when to use onions. I've only ever cooked with onions before.

I brown them & add to casseruole dishes - coq au vin, belly draft & green lentils, etc. :)

its nice to use shallots whole in a pot roast or with other roasted veg.
i also pickle the smaller or medium sized ones.

they certainly are sweeter.
pete

Yes to the whole in casseroles. And in roast veg - they don't break up like quartered onions. And, of course, pickled?

My escalote grise went in in December, under a good layer of mulch. Hopefully they should be up soon, along with the garlic, which I planted at the same time.

I admitted last year to putting my grise in at 2" - forgetting that I had just planted the garlic at that depth. And they averaged 20-25 bulbs!

Sooo, looking forward rather optimistically to next year, would it be okay to replant my own bulbs.  Or should this be avoided like potatoes?

It's pretty normal with shallots. My neighbour grows veg for exhibition, and he saves his every year.

My experience last year was that LIDO bought food shallots did not grow.
Assumed they were 'treated' in some way or was this just my bad luck/lack of care

Scumpy