Shallots

Species name: Allium oschanini

Shallots look like a cross between garlic and an onion. A shallot has a coppery, reddish, or gray skin and when the outer skin is removed, the shallot will separate into large cloves like garlic. There are two shallot types: “True” or French gray or griselle shallots (gris means “gray” in French) are considered to have a more subtle flavor than “false” or Jersey shallots, which are larger. They are called Jersey shallots because they were first cultivated on the Isle of Jersey. The name is derived from the ancient city of Ascalon in Canaan. Shallots possess a sweeter, milder taste than onions.