Zebrune Shallot

Zebrune is a French heirloom shallot also known as an eschalion or banana shallot. In France it goes by Cuisse de Poulet du Poitou, which translates loosely to "chicken leg of Poitou" - a nod to the bulb's long, tapered, drumstick-like shape.

Technically, Zebrune is a cross between a shallot and an onion. The French call this type an eschallion, a blend of the two words. It shares the narrow rings, mild flavor, and long shelf life of a shallot, but peels and slices more like an onion. The bulbs are large, copper-pink, and torpedo-shaped with white flesh.

The flavor is sweet and mild - more delicate than a standard onion, less sharp than a typical shallot. It works well cooked in any dish that calls for onions or shallots, and holds up nicely raw in vinaigrettes and fresh salads.

Zebrune resists bolting and grows well in warm climates. Plant early and you can expect a solid harvest in the first year. It stores exceptionally well, so a good crop carries you through a long season.