Step 1: Place all the ingredients (use only a little salt and pepper to begin with) in a nonreactive sauté pan with 2 cups water. The shallots should be completely covered. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and gently simmer the shallots, uncovered, until the liquid is completely absorbed, 30 to 40 minutes. Stir from time to time, more frequently at the end. You may need to lower the heat to keep the shallots from burning.

Step 2: Taste for seasoning, adding salt, pepper, vinegar, or honey to taste. The marmalade should be a little sweet, a little sour, and very highly seasoned. Transfer to clean (or even sterile) jars and store in the refrigerator for up to several weeks.