Shallots or onions, what's the difference? Are shallots he althy and milder? All the answers about shallots including planting instructions here.
Shallots (Allium ascalonicum), like onions, belong to the Amaryllis family (subfamily Alliums) and are equally popular in the kitchen. However, it has to be said that shallots are slowly outstripping the onion, especially when it comes to finer dishes.
What is the difference between shallots and onions?
The biggest difference between shallots and onions is undoubtedly their size - shallots are significantly smaller! The two bulbous plants also differ in colour. While the skin of the vegetable onion is usually ocher to light brown, the shallot has different shades of color ranging from grey, yellow, reddish brown to the most well-known violet.
Shallots are milder and more aromatic
You may be wondering why we recommend planting shallots when the onions are a lot bigger? The reasons are simple: Shallots taste a lot more aromatic than onions. Shallots have a mild flavor that can sometimes be sweet. In addition, shallots do not sprout as quickly when stored. Onions often sprout after a few weeks, while shallots last months before they even start to appear.
When do I use shallots and when do I use onions?
Important:
Shallots must not be seared as they will become bitter!
Of course, that is up to you, there is no formula for it. However, we can say from experience that you should use onions for dishes that tolerate a strong seasoning, such as goulash. Shallots are better for salads, antipasti and for refining sauces.
How he althy are shallots - nutritional values at a glance
Shallots, like their big sisters onions, are a he althy vegetable. However, since shallots are milder than onions, as already mentioned, they are more digestible for many people and are better tolerated in terms of digestion.
| Nutrient | per 100g |
|---|---|
| folic acid | 17 µg |
| Vitamin C | 13 mg |
| Sodium | 12 mg |
| Potassium | 334 mg |
| Calcium | 34mg |
| Magnesium | 4 mg |
| Phosphorus | 60mg |
| Sulphur | 5100 µg |
| protein | 1500mg |
Planting shallots - instructions step by step
Shallots can be grown either by seed or with onion sets. The latter variant is much easier and also brings a faster harvest, so here are the exact instructions for planting shallots using onion sets.
Selecting a location
The best outdoor location for shallots is sunny and airy. The soil should be dug up some time before planting and enriched with compost. Shallots tolerate humus-rich, loamy soil - but it should be loose.
- When you can plant shallots depends on where you live. Shallots are generally planted in spring (March to end of April). If you live in a mild region, you can put the bulbs in the ground in autumn.
- First draw several rows, each 20 to 30 cm apart.
- The shallot sets are then planted about 1 cm deep in the ground.
- The distance between each bulb should be about 15 cm.
- Make sure the tip of the onion is pointing upwards and cover it lightly with soil.
Storage shallots
After the harvest, which starts around the beginning of June (if the shallots were planted in the fall), you can store the small bulbs in a dark, cool and dry place. Here you can store shallots for up to half a year without the onions sprout.