Western Grocer Serving the industry since 1916
Today, light on one of the European products, the French shallot
With 2021 declared the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables by the United Nations, The European Union and INTERFEL, the organization representing French fruit and vegetable producers are raising awareness here in Canada of the unique attributes of their products.
For those in the produce industry, it is well known the shallots from France are a must have in the produce aisles. While there are a lot of fruits and vegetables produced in Europe and more particularly in France including apple, pear, kiwi, or apricot, it is the French shallot that has made a real impact here in Canada and it is available all year long.
In Europe, French shallots stand out. They are still produced in the traditional way. They are planted and picked by hand, then dried in the sun to give them their characteristic appearance and to help with preservation. They have long been a staple in northern France but now are produced extensively in the Brittany and Loire Valley regions. The production in Europe is 50,000 tonnes, of which over 49,000 tonnes is produced in France, making it the leading European producer of shallots, followed by Bulgaria and Ireland.
Shallots offer great variety with two families-grey or pink or Jersey shallots-that can be further divided by their appearance, fragrance, and flavour. This makes French shallots incredibly versatile. It’s no surprise that French shallots are a staple in kitchens across Europe. They are excellent as part of a base for sauces, in simmered dishes, or raw and sliced over a salad. They are also highly nutritious packed full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Enjoy it is from Europe!
French shallots with any meal!
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