pickle shallots

[anthonyjb]

Ihave just put a few shallots on a tray to dry, the question is how long do I
have to wait before i can pickle them .
thanks

[Snadger]

Mine get pickled soon after they are harvested.....I don't bother drying them!

[rustylady]

You don't normally leave anything to dry before pickling. Just skin if necessary - chop, slice or whatever into suitable size. Put into a plastic bowl and shake some salt over (this draws out excess moisture). Leave overnight, then drain and rinse. Pack into your jars and cover with spiced vineger.

[colser]

cool, i was just wondering what i was going to do with all the shallots that look quite close to being ready )

[anthonyjb]

Snadger and Rustylady

thank you
Anthony

[butter fingers]

You don't normally leave anything to dry before pickling. Just skin if necessary - chop, slice or whatever into suitable size. Put into a plastic bowl and shake some salt over (this draws out excess moisture). Leave overnight, then drain and rinse. Pack into your jars and cover with spiced vineger.

if i wanted sweet pickled shallotts like sweet pickled onions do i just add some brown sugar,or is there more to it than this ? any one help please !

[lainey lou]

if i wanted sweet pickled shallotts like sweet pickled onions do i just add some brown sugar,or is there more to it than this ? any one help please !

I usually just stick a spoonful of granulated sugar in mine.

[rana]

To 'dry' I soak overnight in salt solution and to make peeling easier I blast them in the microwave in small batches (in the brine) for 30 seconds. And yes, I always add a little sugar to the vinegar before bottling.

[anthonyjb]

I have a lot of marble size and a lot smaller shallots left over can I use them next year or are they to small to be any good.
thanks
Anthony

[anthonyjb]

Can I plant then

Anthony

[rana]

I wouldn't bother planting them - the crop could be very disappointing. If you can be bothered, peel and pickle them or use them in summer salads. The very small ones I chuck away - it's a case of diminishing returns.

[Snadger]

Can I plant then

Anthony

Now there's a novel idea..........planting pickled shallots!

You CAN keep some of your shallots to plant in February if you like. Usually if you plant bigguns you will get a lot of smalluns and vice versa for littleuns planted give you a few whoppers.

[sarraceniac]

Shallots pickled in balsamic vinegar are excellent. It's naturally sweet and goes great with continental cheeses and meats. Just use a cheap vinegar though. Balsamic can be prohibitively expensive. Supermarkets' own brands are fine.

[anthonyjb]

Plant BIG GET small plant small get BIG how does that work

Anthony

[anthonyjb]

Shallots pickled in balsamic vinegar are excellent. It's naturally sweet and goes great with continental cheeses and meats. Just use a cheap vinegar though. Balsamic can be prohibitively expensive. Supermarkets' own brands are fine.

Sarraceniac

How much Balsamic vinegar do you add to a ltr of pickling vinegar when you pickle shallots
many thanks
Anthony