French gourmet shallots are small, elongated bulbs with a smooth, coppery-brown to reddish skin. Their cloves are tightly packed, and the flesh inside ranges from creamy white to pale purple, offering a delicate, slightly sweet, and mild onion flavor. Compared to regular onions, they are more slender and refined in appearance, often prized for their subtle taste in gourmet cooking.
- Size: Typically 1–2 inches in diameter; slender, elongated bulbs.
- Planting: Plant in well-drained, fertile soil with full sun exposure.
- Spacing: Space bulbs 6–8 inches apart in rows 12–18 inches apart.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Harvesting: Ready to harvest when tops yellow and fall over; cure in a dry, ventilated area before storage.
- Storage: Store in a cool, dark, dry place; lasts several months if properly cured.