Shallots are a type of allium, closely related to onions, garlic, and leeks. They are smaller and more elongated than typical onions, with coppery-brown, reddish, or grayish skin and cloves inside that resemble garlic bulbs in structure but have a more onion-like flavor.
Key Features:
Appearance: Small, teardrop-shaped bulbs with papery skin; the flesh is usually white with a hint of purple.
Flavor:
Milder, sweeter, and more complex than regular onions—somewhere between garlic and onion, with subtle notes of sharpness.
Uses:
Ideal in gourmet cooking for sauces, dressings, vinaigrettes, and reductions, Often used in French cuisine, Southeast Asian dishes, and refined recipes, Can be sautéed, roasted, pickled, or used raw for delicate flavor.
