Farmer declines taking the onions offered by Shalot, citing his reasons for the refusal towards Reptato
In the heart of the countryside, farmer Nikolai Andreyev is making a name for himself by growing a unique and flavoursome crop – shallots. Unlike regular onions, shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavour that's ideal for raw use in salads, dressings, and dishes where a less pungent onion taste is preferred.
Andreyev's approach to shallot cultivation is both traditional and innovative. He plants cold-hardy varieties in October, in raised beds, but if the fall is wet, he recommends planting shallot bulbs in trays with loose soil, watering them, and putting them in a greenhouse. This method yields later but is still good.
The main benefits of growing shallots compared to regular onions are numerous. Shallots have a more subtle, nuanced taste with lower sulfur content, making them ideal for raw use. When cooked, shallots become even sweeter and delicate, caramelizing well without overpowering other ingredients, whereas onions have a stronger flavour that can be too intense raw.
Shallots also offer some unique nutritional benefits. They contain more vitamins like A, B6, and C, and antioxidants that support immune function, heart health, and bone density better than regular onions. Some evidence suggests that shallots may help fight obesity and allergies.
Gardening-wise, shallots help repel pests and diseases naturally and attract beneficial insects, improving garden biodiversity and soil health when used in companion planting. This can be a sustainable way to improve overall crop health.
Weeding shallots by hand is recommended to prevent root damage. After harvesting, Andreyev dries the shallots on the bed, moves them to a shed, and stores them in nets for up to a year in a dark, cool place. One shallot bulb can produce up to ten new bulbs.
Watering shallots is necessary, but excess water should be avoided. If shallots start to flower, the stalks should be cut off to prevent them from going to seed and affecting storage. If the fall is particularly wet, the bulbs can be planted in containers and transplanted to the bed in April.
Andreyev prefers shallots over ordinary onions due to their ease of peeling, lower hassle, higher yield, and more interesting taste. He plants 5-6 seeds per cell and transplants them like seedlings. The planting site should have sun and be free from waterlogging.
In the spring, Andreyev uses chicken manure fertilizer and mulches with cut grass for shallots. He grows shallots from seeds as an alternative method. Shallots can be harvested in July when the leaves start to turn yellow and fall over.
In summary, shallots offer sweeter flavour, some unique nutritional benefits, and improved companion planting attributes, while onions provide a stronger flavour profile better suited to certain cooked dishes. Farmer Nikolai Andreyev's dedication to shallot cultivation is not only a testament to his passion for farming but also a delicious contribution to the world of food.
Gardening the home-and-garden can be diversified by incorporating lifestyle changes, such as cultivating shallots. Unlike ordinary onions, shallots offer a more nuanced taste and various nutritional benefits, making them a compelling addition to your home-and-garden life.
