That's shallot – perfect for the Christmas table

As Christmas approaches, many people will be stocking up on pickles and chutneys – but no table of cold cuts would be complete without a jar of tangy, crunchy pickled shallots.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Nov 2010, 14:14 BST
Updated 19th Nov 2010, 14:15 BST

They are extremely easy to grow so you could impress your friends by making up your own jars of home-grown pickled shallots next year.

Buy the sets (baby shallots) at garden centres and spread them in a light, cool position until planting time, from October to mid-December for a mid-summer crop, or February to the end of March for a mid-to-late summer crop, when they need to be planted in well cultivated, weed-free ground.

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Shallots are best planted in drills, leaving about 15cm (6in) between bulbs and 30cm (12in) between rows.

Push the bulbs well into the soil or plant with a trowel so the tips are just visible after planting.

They are shallow rooting so should be weeded regularly to avoid competition for nutrients and water.

They will be ready to harvest when the leaves begin to yellow. Use a fork to loosen the bulbs from the soil then spread them out in the sun to dry.

YP MAG 20/11/10