General Information

Etymology: Like the word "scallion," shallot comes from the Old French escalogne, from the Latin Ascalonia caepa (onion of Ascalon).
Also called red shallot or gray shallot.

Originating in Turkestan more than 2000 years ago, the shallot was considered a sacred plant by the Persians and Egyptians. It takes its name from the city of Ascalon in the land of the Philistines (now Ashkelon in Israel), where it was grown in ancient times. During the time of Charlemagne it entered French gastronomy and as long ago as the Middle Ages it was grown in household gardens. It has a slightly irregular shape, with the base not quite in line with the top. It is covered with a thin peel like an onion.