Not NONG

Shallots

Allium cepa var. aggregatum

Allium Family
Allium cepa var. aggregatum — a close relative of onion. Shallots are NOT NONG despite their milder flavor.

About Shallots

Shallots are a milder, sweeter variety of onion commonly used in South Indian and Southeast Asian cooking. Despite their delicate flavor, they belong to the allium family and are excluded from NONG diets.

Cooking Tips

Shallots are NOT NONG. In South Indian sambar and rasam, use asafoetida and tomatoes for depth of flavor instead of shallots.

NONG-Safe Substitutes

Related Allium Family Ingredients

Frequently Asked Questions

Are shallots the same as onion?
Shallots are a variety of onion (Allium cepa var. aggregatum). They are milder and sweeter but are still alliums and NOT NONG safe.
Can I use shallots in Jain cooking?
No. Shallots are prohibited in Jain diet just like regular onions, as they are root vegetables from the allium family.