Ad

Nutrition: per serving

  • kcal25
  • fat1g
  • saturates0g
  • carbs3g
  • sugars3g
  • fibre0g
  • protein1g
  • salt0.26g
    low
Ad

Method

  • step 1

    Tip the shallots into a large bowl, pour over a kettleful of boiling water, leave to stand for a minute, then drain. When cool enough to handle, sit down, turn the radio on and get peeling.

  • step 2

    Set the peeled shallots aside and place all the other ingredients except the balsamic vinegar into a large saucepan. Bring to the boil, lower the heat, then simmer for 3 mins. Drop the shallots into the pan and simmer for 8-10 mins until just tender. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the shallots and basil out into sterilised jars (see Know-how, below), then boil the liquid vigorously for 5 mins. Turn the heat off, stir in the balsamic vinegar, then pour over the shallots to cover. Seal the jars and leave for at least 3 days. Will keep for up to 3 months.

RECIPE TIPS
KNOW-HOW

To sterilise jars, run them through the dishwasher, or wash well in hot soapy water, rinse, then dry in a low oven. If you’re pickling and recycling old jam jars, it’s important to cover the pickle with a wax disc first so the metal lid doesn’t react with the vinegar.

Recipe from Good Food magazine, October 2008

Ad

Comments, questions and tips (19)

Rate this recipe

What is your star rating out of 5?

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Overall rating

A star rating of 3.9 out of 5.8 ratings
Michael Turner 1 avatar

Michael Turner 1

A star rating of 1 out of 5.

Do not try this. The oil makes them so slimey. These are really not nice

jackiebcook

Have to disagree. Absolutely delicious

mesnilpat

A star rating of 1 out of 5.

I made these, following the recipe exactly. I've just tried them and find them disgustingly soft, slimy and oily. I will be throwing the whole lot away and never trying to pickle cooked shallots again. On the plus side it frees up some preserving jars to make something else.

ebrit123321

The ones I buy from my local deli are very soft, dark brown & oily & quite sweet which is why I have chosen this recipe. The only alteration I have made is to add 9 (yes 9) more tablespoons of sugar as I’m not keen on very tart pickles. My pickling experience makes me know that it’s…

zapyapp

question

They sound great but I thought you had to be careful using oil and fresh produce because of botulism or does mixing it with vinegar make the difference? Sounds like the oil drifts to the top so should be OK unlike when using oil only.

dalessg

The oil creates a seal at the top of the shallots to help keep them fresh

iggyjohn

Followed the recipe to the letter but have ended up with soft pickled onions and had to throw them all away! had some vinegar left over as ran out of shallots! Next day got some more and after peeling them poured the now cold vinegar over them. After three weeks absolutely perfect! Was it a wind up…

jackiebcook

I simmered mine but no where near as long as they were quite small worked very well and kept for much longer than three months. Yummy

Ad
Ad
Ad