Banana shallot

Échalote banane

What it is

It is raised from seed rather than from a mother bulb, and that is why French growers spent the 2000s in court trying to stop it being sold as échalote - the compromise word was échalion. One lobe means no wasted double bulbs and a long, even body.

In the kitchen

This is the shallot for clean rings and even brunoise; it holds together where a grey shallot splits into lobes. For a red wine sauce go back to the grey one - the banana carries more water and less depth.

Goes with

Butter Red wine vinegar Thyme Beef White wine vinegar Parsley Cream Dijon mustard

Same species

Arleux smoked garlic Black garlic Calçot Cévennes sweet onion Chives Cipollini onion

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