Shallots

APPEARANCE: A diminutive member of the onion tribe, the shallot measures ¾ to 1 inch in diameter. They have the group’s characteristic papery husks, in a range of colors from reddish-purple to brown. In Hong Kong markets they generally appear in loose profusion, somewhere near the garlic and garlic shallots.

QUALITY: Select these as you would any onion, avoiding those with signs of shriveling, bruises, fungus, or soft rot.

COMMENTS: This is a mild and sweet variation on the onion theme. Translation of the Chinese name accurately explains how this member fits into the family. Choeng are spring onions or scallions; tau means head; and, indeed, these are the bulbs that develop if salad onions are left in the ground to grow for two years. The French name for this sort of onion is eschalogne, from which come both English names, shallot and scallion.