Grandma's Shallots

Andrew's grandma, Carmelle, gave us some shallots to plant in our garden. They are a true family heirloom: she brought them from Quebec and saved them year after year, until they were placed into Andrew's hands with a blessing. They are some of the most interesting veggies we've ever grown. Not only do they clone themselves like garlic, they grow bulbs on the end of their stalk, which fall over and re-root themselves like a chain. I dug some up today and had fun painting them on this rainy afternoon. Thanks, grandma!

Here is my sister, the Italian chef holding a shallot at a younger stage. When she visited last month we needed onions for a meal and this was the closest alternative in the garden. We ate the green parts too!