Good shallots?

Who here likes to use a lot of shallots, and where do you buy them?

In the past, I have picked up at least a pound of shallots on every trip to Whole Foods. For some time now, though, the quality has been so bad I'm skipping them. Where can I get quantities of shallots that are reliably good? I'm in the northwest suburbs but will drive for decent shallots.

Mitsuwa, the Japanese mega-grocery has had very good shallots every time I've visited. Algonquin and Arlington Heights Roads.

I've noticed the same with Whole Foods' shallots. I have noticed that the organic ones are typically in better shape, as well as smaller, which I prefer.

I use a lot of shallots and generally buy them in one of two places: Whole Foods, as mentioned above, or Marketplace on Oakton in Skokie (where I buy most of my produce). The only drawback to Marketplace is that they sell them in a pint container that they plastic wrap, so you can't choose each one individually. But, even if you get a bad one, the price is so low that it doesn't matter.

I like to buy mine on Argyle at the Vietnamese grocery stores. Good quality and good price. I like the one on Sheridan just South of Argyle. They also have a huge jar of pickled leeks for about 4.50

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I don't know how I overlooked Mitsuwa because I do shop there sometimes. I should also check out the Vietnamese places.

mchodera wrote:Mitsuwa, the Japanese mega-grocery has had very good shallots every time I've visited. Algonquin and Arlington Heights Roads.

I was just at Mitsuwa today and one of the items I was looking for was shallots. Mitsuwa did not have any, they usually do so your suggestion is sound.

bibi rose wrote: I should also check out the Vietnamese places.

I recently bought a plastic jar of fried shallots at one of the Vietnamese markets near Argyle, I have been using them most everyday now, from adding to all kinds of salads as well as stir fried veggies, the Mrs & I are addicted.

Evil Ronnie wrote:Nichols Farm should have sweet, plump and really beautiful shallots any day now. We look forward to them every summer.
They are on the expensive side and worth every penny!

FIFY

thanks, Mel!

Hi- You can buy them at some of the farmer's markets. At Evanston, I know that Nichols carries them, and probably a few other people do, but I don't remember which ones. Nichols sells at numerous farmer's markets, and I think they sell on Fridays at Schaumburg. I know they sell at Evanston and Green City, Daley Plaza and a bunch of other markets. I love their stuff. I don't know how much their shallots are, but I remember they are not cheap. Hope this helps, Nancy

Nichols did have shallots this past Sunday at Wicker Park Farmer's Market.

I worked for an Iraqi-Israeli chef who trained in France. He would bite into raw shallots when he had a burger, like you'd
bite into a pickle spear.

The largest and the best I have found are at H-Mart in Niles.-Dick

The shops in Indiatown on Devon (Patel bros and Fresh farms) have good quality Shallots. Sometimes you get these really small Shallots (in South India we called them Sambar onions); but every now and then you get these nice plump bigger Shallots. They are usually around $1.50 a pound.