Garlic

This is our third year growing garlic. Like string beans, we were delighted to discover how easy it is to grow! Having our own fresh garlic to enjoy and offer our customers is a real treat.

Storage:
Store garlic in a cool, dry place with decent air circulation to avoid mildew.

Long-term Storage:
Garlic can be minced, or stored as peeled whole cloves, in the freezer (in freezer-safe bags) for convenience. It's also commonly used dried, in granular or powdered form. Pickled garlic is another way to preserve this flavorful bulb.

Preparation

  • Garlic is a potent flavor that is usually used sparingly. It's eaten raw by some, but is most often added during cooking to many, many dishes as a flavorful complement.

  • Roasted garlic is an excellent way to feature it, as the spiciness is really mellowed out during the long slow bake in the oven. Roasted garlic is delicious as an accent to many dishes, served as a spread on rustic bread, or on sandwiches.

History:
Garlic is thought to originate in central Asia, but now grows wild all over the world. Humans have enjoyed it for over 5,000 years.

  • It's potency no doubt inspired it's use as a religious symbol – garlic appears in the tombs of ancient pharaohs.
  • Ancient Greeks considered Garlic to be a good way of increasing strength. It was eaten by athletes before competing, and by soldiers before going into battle.
  • Garlic has been used medicinally throughout human history, to treat everything from tuberculosis to parasites to digestion. It's still highly regarded by many for it's medicinal properties today and is commonly used to treat colds, and improve hearth health just as a few examples.
  • Garlic is also well known in it's ability to ward off vampires. If you're having trouble with vampires, simply rub fresh garlic cloves over key-holes and door knobs, or wear a head of garlic strung around your neck.

Nutrition:
The many sulfur compounds in garlic act as antioxidants and an anti-inflammatory.
Garlic is an excellent source of manganese. It is also a very good source of vitamin B6 and vitamin C.