clump-of-shallots

They grow new bulbs in a cluster around the mother set, rather like a garlic clove.

using-walking-board-to-plant shallots

Plant as soon as soil is dry enough , in March or April.

pushing-shallot-in-ground

Use a trowel, unless soil very light, when sets can be pushed in, so that they are buried to half their depth & have their shoulders poking through.  Plant 15cm (6in) apart with 30cm (12in) between rows.

shallot-out-of-bed

Check daily to make sure birds have not pulled them out.  Push them back in if necessary.  May be worth covering with a net if birds a problem.

hoe-shallots

Keep weeds down.

flopping&ready-to-harvest shallots

 Lift or harvest shallots when leaves start to flop over & yellow, traditionally on the longest day.  Leave them on the top of the soil to dry out, if it is dry & rain is not forecast, otherwise dry them under cover.  There is no need to separate the clumps, they will fall apart naturally.

Storage: When dry, and the skins are shiny, store in trays, nets or tights in a cool, dry, well ventilated place.  They should keep for 9 or 12 months.

Use shallots in cooking because they have a milder flavour than onions.  They are good added whole to stews and casseroles.

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shallots-feb2010

This often happens, particularly just after planting the shallots, before they have had time to push out some roots which will anchor them down.

shallot-out-of-bed

Shallots tend to jump out of bed because either:

• worms in the soil push them out from below
• or, birds pull them out.

We always blamed the sparrows who investigate anything new in the vegetable garden.  But these shallots have been covered with a cloche to protect them from the frost, so birds would not get to the shallots easily.  So fingers seem to be pointing at the worms for displacing the shallots.

pushing-shallot-in-ground

We just push the shallots back into the bed, and will continue checking them until they are rooted firmly into the ground.

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pickled-onions-pink

• most people use shallots for pickled onions
• make a brine solution by dissolving 8oz of salt in 4 pints of water
• skin the onions – using a stainless steel or silver knife – as they will discolour
• cover the onions in a cold brine solution for at least 24 hours.  Place a dish over the top of the onions to make sure they are covered with brine.  The brine draws the water out of the onions & makes them crispy.
• drain the onions from the brine
• fill a clean, sterilised jar with onions & cover with spiced pickling vinegar

pickled-onion-jars

The spiced pickling vinegar can be of any flavour & it is worth trying a few different ones.

It is possible to buy spiced pickling vinegar, or you can make your own using a different vinegar (cider, wine, raspberry vinegar etc) & add your own combination of spices.  Pre-mixed pickling spices can be found in supermarkets, or you can add your own combination of chillies, ginger, pepper, mustard seeds etc..

Topper-pickled-onions

It is very easy to pickle onions, just time consuming!  But a jar of home-made pickled onions is a treat – or an excellent gift or  Christmas present.

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green-tomatoes

Ingredients for 5 or 6  500kg jars

• 1.5kg green tomatoes
• 1 kg cooking apple
• 450g shallots
• 450g sultanas
• 450g demerara sugar
• juice of 2 lemons
• 50g root ginger
• 50g salt
• 25g mustard seeds
• 1.75litres wine vinegar
• 2 red chillies

chutney-green-tomato

Method

• cut up the tomatoes
• peel, core and chop the apples
• peel and slice the shallots
• crush the ginger with a rolling pin
• halve the chillies
• place the ginger & chillies in a muslin bag, tie it securely & place in the preserving pan, & add all the other ingredients
• put the pan on a gentle heat & stir until the sugar has dissolved
• then simmer for about two hours without the lid on the pan
• when there is no more runny liquid, and the chutney is creamy and thick, remove the muslin bag
• pour into warm, sterilised jars, cover, seal and label
• keep for 2 months to allow the flavour to develop

This recipe for green tomato chutney will make a good Christmas gift.

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