




Shallots
Inventory, 5 lbs : 49.21
This item was last sold on : 01/28/23
Description/Taste
Shallots widely vary in size from small to large, depending on the variety, and have an elongated, oblong shape with a rounded center, tapering to a point at both ends. The bulbs are encased in a dry and papery, thin skin that flakes when touched and ranges in color from copper, gold, pale pink, to red. When the papery layers are removed, multiple clusters of cloves are found divided into individually wrapped segments similar to garlic. Small Shallot varieties average 2 to 3 cloves, and larger varieties typically contain 3 to 6 cloves. The firm, dense, and semi-dry flesh is off-white to translucent with light purple or red rings. Shallots are aromatic with a complex blend of spicy, sweet, and pungent flavors. When raw, the cloves are crisp and astringent, and when cooked, they develop a delicate, sweet, and savory taste with flavors reminiscent of garlic.
Seasons/Availability
Shallots are globally cultivated and available year-round.
Current Facts
Shallots, botanically classified Allium cepa, are multi-cloved bulbs belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family along with onions, garlic, and leeks. There are many different varieties of Shallots, and approximately thirteen varieties are commercially cultivated around the world in the modern-day. Within these varieties, there are two subgroups, Western Shallots and Eastern Shallots, that vary slightly in appearance and flavor. Shallots are an ancient crop that has been used for thousands of years in culinary and medicinal applications. The name Shallot was derived from Ascalon, which is an ancient city in Israel situated along the coast of the Mediterranean. Ascalon was the first city to introduce the pungent bulbs to Greece through trade, resulting in the Greeks referring to Shallots as the “Onion of Ascalon.” Over time through loose translations, the name Shallot was created and used to describe the variety. Shallots are highly favored by chefs for their aromatic, sweet, and complex, but not overpowering flavor and are used globally to flavor a wide variety of cuisines.
Nutritional Value
Shallots are an excellent source of fiber, stimulating the digestive system, and a good source of the minerals iron, potassium, and magnesium. The bulbs also contain vitamins A and C, which are antioxidants that can help strengthen the immune system, and provide some calcium, zinc, vitamin E, selenium, and phosphorus. In Asia, Shallots are used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine as an ingredient to internally heat the body to induce detoxification and are also believed to help increase immunity against sickness.
Applications
Shallots are best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as roasting, sautéing, and grilling. When raw, the bulbs can be chopped and mixed into salads, topped on bruschetta, blended into sauces such as Béarnaise, minced into guacamole, and stirred into vinaigrettes. Shallots can often be substituted in recipes calling for onions and garlic and have a slightly milder and sweeter flavor profile. In addition to raw preparations, Shallots can be sautéed with meats or cooked vegetables, stirred into lentil-based stews, blended into curries, baked into casseroles, stir-fried with rice, or tossed with pasta. They can also be roasted and dipped in a mixture of Greek yogurt and olive oil. Shallots pair well with beets, tomatoes, mushrooms, green beans, spinach, garlic, capers, meats such as poultry, beef, and pork, fish, baked oysters, cheeses such as parmesan, mozzarella, cheddar, and manchego, herbs such as parsley, thyme, rosemary, tarragon, and mint, and beer. The bulbs will keep up to one month when stored in a cool, dry, and dark place.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Despite their strong association with French cuisine, traditionally used in roasts, stews, and sauces, Shallots are widely used throughout Asia for their milder pungency. In Southern India, Shallots are pickled in red vinegar and served as a condiment for curries, papads, which are flatbreads, sambar, and chora, which is a black-eyed pea stew. When pickled, Shallots develop a tangy, sour flavor that is believed to stimulate and enhance appetites when eaten at the beginning of a meal. Shallots are also known as Bawang Merah in Indonesia and are commonly used instead of regular onions in everyday cooking for their mild, less potent flavor. In Indonesia, the bulbs are pickled similarly to India for use as a condiment, or they are sliced, deep-fried, and served as a crunchy topping over soups, stews, rice, and curries.
Geography/History
Shallots are native to Asia and have been cultivated for over four thousand years. The specific region of origin within Asia is heavily debated among experts, with some linking the bulb to Southeast Asia while others to the city of Ascalon in Western Asia. In the 11th century, Shallots were rumored to have been introduced to Europe from crusaders returning from the middle east, and over time, the bulbs were spread throughout Western Europe through trade routes. Today Shallots are globally widespread and are available at farmer markets, specialty grocers, and supermarkets in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
The Market by Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-237-1335 |
Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
Mission Ave Bar and Grill | Oceanside CA | 760-717-5899 |
Javier Plascencia | Bonita CA | 619-295-3172 |
Izakaya Maize/Rabih Sus | La Mesa CA | 619-395-6383 |
Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.) | San Diego CA | 619-962-5935 |
Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
The Shout House | San Diego CA | 619-231-6700 |
Camino Riviera | San Diego CA | 619-685-3881 |
Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-379-2574 |
Mimmos Italian Village | San Diego CA | 619-239-3710 |
Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
Copper Kings | Oceanside CA | 323-810-1662 |
Relic Bageri LLC | San Diego CA | 619-335-6328 |
Wayfarer Bread | La Jolla CA | 805-709-0964 |
Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
Smoke and Salt | Encinitas CA | 760-815-9827 |
Communal Coffee - Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 619-920-7887 |
Green Acres Campus 2020 | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
Madera Kitchen of Mexico | Vista CA | 760-784-1224 |
Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
Elixir De La Lune | La Jolla CA | 619-985-8979 |
Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina | San Diego CA | 619-921-4206 |
Olivewood Gardens -Donation | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
Mabel's Gone Fishing | San Diego CA | 619-228-9851 |
Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
Oak and Elixir | Carlsbad CA | 760-473-1097 |
Nectarine Grove | Encinitas CA | 760-944-4525 |
Sugar and Scribe | La Jolla CA | 858-274-1733 |
Black Radish | San Diego CA | 619-775-7412 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
Royal Rooster | San Diego CA | 949-510-1379 |
Gold Finch | San Diego CA | 619-804-2051 |
Pina (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 562-371-5919 |
Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-735-3093 |
Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 |
Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
Tahona (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
BeerFish | San Diego CA | 619-363-2337 |
Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
The Switchboard Restaurant and Bar | Oceanside CA | 442-266-2781 |
Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Vino Carta Solana Beach | Encinitas CA | 858-353-2815 |
Mission Bay Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 858-488-0501 |
Chef Drew Mc Partlin | San Diego CA | 619-990-9201 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
619 Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-647-4409 |
Open Gym-White Rice Bodega | San Diego CA | 619-289-9182 |
California Center for the Arts | Escondido CA | 760-839-4107 |
Qero | Encinitas CA | 702-334-8845 |
Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
Revolution Roasters | Oceanside CA | 760-330-6827 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Miguel's Cocina Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 760-759-1843 |
Addison Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-7600 |
Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
The Miller's Table | Oceanside CA | 310-694-4091 |
Village Vino | San Diego CA | 619-546-8466 |
The Crack Shack Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa CA | 951-808-7790 |
Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
Toast Cafe | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
Communal Coffee | San Diego CA | 619-305-9525 |
Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
Swagyu Chop Shop-PB | San Diego CA | 858-758-0357 |
Miguel's 4S Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-924-9200 |
Grass Skirt | San Diego CA | 858-412-5237 |
AToN Center Inc. | Encinitas CA | 858-759-5017 |
Blue Ocean La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0323 |
Hawaiian Fresh Seafood | San Diego CA | 858-299-8862 |
Bellamy's Restaurant | Escondido CA | 760-747-5000 |
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
Il Giardino di Lilli | La Jolla CA | 619-467-9897 |
Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
Le Parfait Paris- Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-245-4457 |
Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 619-417-9251 |
Prager Brothers Artisan Bread | Carlsbad CA | 760-445-9536 |
Swagyu Chop Shop | Imperial Beach CA | 858-822-8377 |
La Clochette Du Coin-Pacific Beach | San Diego CA | 619-402-7911 |
Rubicon Deli India Street | San Diego CA | 619-200-4201 |
Le Parfait Paris- Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-245-4457 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Lucky Bolt | San Diego CA | 662-832-3638 |
Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
Miguel's Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-298-9840 |
Dija Mara 2021 | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
Yummy Sushi | Coronado CA | 619-435-2771 |
Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
Boss Bird Kitchen | La Mesa CA | 858-566-9191 |
The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
Armonia LLC | San Diego CA | 619-724-7210 |
My Five Star Chef | La Jolla CA | 619-890-1159 |
Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Shallots. One

Recently Shared
People have shared Shallots using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
![]() About a day ago, 1/29/23 Sharer's comments : Shallots are last of the season - find them at Maciel Family Farms! ![]() ![]()
Green Farm
Near San Diego, California, United StatesEl Cajon, CA About 92 days ago, 10/29/22 ![]() ![]()
Hukama Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesRamona, CA About 231 days ago, 6/12/22 ![]() ![]()
T&D Farms
Near Murrieta, California, United StatesRedlands, CA About 260 days ago, 5/14/22 ![]() About 556 days ago, 7/23/21 Sharer's comments : Fresh! ![]() ![]()
Galmart supermarket
England, United KingdomSamal 2, 111, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 588 days ago, 6/20/21 Sharer's comments : Shallots from Europe |