| Shallot | |
|---|---|
Whole shallots
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| Species | Allium cepa var. aggregatum |
| Cultivar group | Aggregatum Group |
The shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum, or the A. cepa Aggregatum Group) is a type of onion, specifically a botanical variety of the species Allium cepa.[1] The shallot was formerly classified as a separate species, A. ascalonicum, a name now considered a synonym of the currently accepted name.[2] The genus Allium, which includes onions and garlic, is now classified in the plant family Amaryllidaceae, but it was formerly considered to belong to the separate family Alliaceae.
Shallots probably originated in Central or Southeast Asia, travelling from there to India and the eastern Mediterranean. The name "shallot" comes from Ashkelon, an ancient Philistine city,[3] where people in classical Greek times believed shallots originated.[4]
Indian names for shallots include kandaorgandanaorpyaaz (Hindi, Marathi, Marwari and Punjabi), gundhun (Bengali), cheriya ulliorchuvanna ulli (Malayalam) and chinna vengayam (orsambar vengayam in the Chennai region) (Tamil). In the Kashmiri language, shallots are called praan. In Nepal, shallots are called chyapi (छ्यापी).
InSoutheastern Asia, shallots are called bawang merah kecil (small red onions) in Malay, brambanginJava, sibuyas bumbay (Indian onion) in the Philippines (in contrast with sibuyas Tagalog, the larger, red onion), and hom (หอม, fragrant) in Thai. In Cambodian (Khmer), shallots are called katem kror hom, where katemorktem is a species of onion, and kror homorhom meaning "red", describes their colour.
The name shallot is also used for the Persian shallot (A. stipitatum), from the Zagros MountainsinIran and Iraq. The term shallot is further used for the French gray shallot or griselle (Allium oschaninii), a species referred to as "true shallot";[4] it grows wild from CentraltoSouthwest Asia.
In Australia, the term shallot can also refer to scallions (from various species of Allium),[citation needed] while the term eschalot, derived from the French word échalote, can also be used to refer to the shallot described in this article.[5] The usage of "shallot" for green onions is also found among English-speaking people in Quebec, with stress on the second syllable.[6]
Like garlic, shallots are formed in clusters of offsets with a head composed of multiple cloves. The skin colour of shallots can vary from golden brown to gray to rose red, and their off-white flesh is usually tinged with green or magenta.
Shallots are extensively cultivated for culinary uses, propagated by offsets. In some regions ("long-season areas"), the offsets are usually planted in autumn (September or October in the Northern Hemisphere).[7] In some other regions, the suggested planting time for the principal crop is early spring (typically in February or the beginning of March in the Northern Hemisphere).[8]
In planting, the tops of the bulbs should be kept a little above ground, and the soil surrounding the bulbs is often drawn away when the roots have taken hold. They come to maturity in summer, although fresh shallots can now be found year-round in supermarkets. Shallots should not be planted on ground recently manured.
InAfrica, shallots are grown in the area around Anloga in southeastern Ghana.[9]
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 301 kJ (72 kcal) |
16.8 g | |
| Sugars | 7.87 g |
| Dietary fiber | 3.2 g |
0.1 g | |
2.5 g | |
| Vitamins | Quantity %DV† |
| Thiamine (B1) | 5% 0.06 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 2% 0.02 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 1% 0.2 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 6% 0.29 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 20% 0.345 mg |
| Folate (B9) | 9% 34 μg |
| Vitamin C | 9% 8 mg |
| Minerals | Quantity %DV† |
| Calcium | 3% 37 mg |
| Iron | 7% 1.2 mg |
| Magnesium | 5% 21 mg |
| Manganese | 13% 0.292 mg |
| Phosphorus | 5% 60 mg |
| Potassium | 11% 334 mg |
| Zinc | 4% 0.4 mg |
| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults,[10] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.[11] | |
Shallots are used in fresh cooking in addition to being pickled. Finely sliced, deep-fried shallots are used as a condimentinAsian cuisine, often served with porridge. As a species of Allium, shallots taste somewhat like a common onion, but have a milder flavor.[12] Like onions and garlic, when sliced, raw shallots release substances that irritate the human eye, resulting in production of tears.
Shallots appear to contain more flavonoids and phenols than other members of the onion genus.[13]
Fresh shallots can be stored in cool, dry area (32 to 40 °F, 60 to 70% RH) for six months or longer.[14] Chopped, dried shallots are also available.[15]
In Europe, the Pikant, Atlas and Ed's Red types of shallots are the most common.[citation needed] In parts of southern France, the grey type is grown widely.[4]
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InIndian cuisines, the distinction between onions and shallots is weak; larger varieties of shallot are often confused with small red onions and used interchangeably. Indeed, most parts of India use the regional name for onion interchangeably with shallot (Maharashtra, for instance, where both are called kanda). The southern regions of India distinguish shallots from onions in recipes more often, especially the much loved tiny varieties (about the width of a finger); these are widely used in curries and different types of sambar, a lentil-based dish. Shallots pickled in red vinegar are common in many Indian restaurants, served along with sauces and papad on the condiments tray. Indians also use it [clarification needed] as a home remedy for sore throats, mixed with jaggery or sugar. In Nepal, shallots are used as one of the ingredients for making momo. In Kashmir shallots are widely used in preparation of Wazwan Kashmiri cuisine, as they add distinct flavor and prevent curry from getting black which is a common problem with onions.
InIran, shallots, called mousir (موسیر), are used in various ways, the most common being grated shallot mixed into dense yogurt, a combination served in almost every restaurant when one orders grills or kebabs. Shallots are also used to make different types of torshi (ترشی), a sour Iranian side dish consisting of a variety of vegetables under vinegar, eaten with main dishes in small quantities. Shallot is also pickled -called shour (شور) in Persian- along with other vegetables to be served as torshi.
InSoutheast Asian cuisines, such as those of Brunei, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Indonesia, both shallots and garlic (bawang putih, white onions) are often used as elementary spices. Raw shallot can also accompany cucumbers when pickled in mild vinegar solution. It is also often chopped finely, then fried until golden brown, resulting in tiny crispy shallot chips called bawang goreng (fried onions) in Indonesian language, which can be bought ready-made from groceries and supermarkets. Shallots enhance the flavor of many Southeast Asian dishes, such as fried rice variants. Crispy shallot chips are also used in southern Chinese cuisine. In Indonesia, shallots are sometimes made into pickles that are added to several traditional foods; the pickles' sourness is thought to increase one's appetite.
It is one of the pungent vegetables generally avoided by Buddhist vegetarians.
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| Onion cultivars |
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| Onion species |
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| Onion food |
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| Garlic cultivars |
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| Garlic species |
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| Garlic food |
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| Garlic and onion constituents |
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| Related |
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