Onion – Not the Same as Shallot

Q: Could you please tell me if shallots and green onions are the same thing. Is it only a difference in regional names?

A: According to author and garden raconteur Felder Rushing, “Shallots (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) are related to onions, but have a milder, more delicate flavor. In some parts of the country people call any green onion a shallot. The difference is that onion bulbs develop only one sprout per bulb, while shallots develop six to ten sprouts per bulb. The shallots can be pulled when they are the size of green bunching onions and used as green onions would be, for example, in salads or as garnishes for soups. Gardeners grow shallots for the dry bulbs as well. Having originated in western Asia, probably Syria, shallots have been mentioned in literature for centuries.”