Garlic I adore,
Don’t tell me not to use more,
There is no “too much”.

Garlic has been a culinary staple in cultures all around the world for centuries. Those savory, spicy, slightly sweet bulbs have been improving the flavor of food since 3000 BCE. First thought to have been cultivated in ancient China, you’d be hard-pressed to find a place in the world that doesn’t use garlic today. What makes garlic so special? It’s easy to grow, low in calories, and highly rich in nutrients. It contains a hearty amount of fiber, vitamins C and B6, selenium, and manganese. These nutrients help to promote immunity and digestion. Garlic also contains compounds like allicin, which are thought to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties. It’s long been used for medicinal purposes, especially for colds.

If that isn’t enough to convince you of how awesome garlic is, maybe its supernatural powers will. Garlic has been a part of folklore for centuries, from warding off evil spirits and vampires to protecting against illness and even enhancing strength and endurance. The ancient Greeks and Romans are both said to have consumed garlic before going into battle for this perceived health benefit.

Garlic comes in many varieties, such as spring garlic, elephant garlic, black garlic, and more. But it goes beyond just varying varietals of the plant – different parts of the plant can be eaten as well! Garlic scapes are the curly, green stalks that grow from hardneck garlic plants. They emerge from the center of the garlic plant and have a distinctive curl or loop at the top. They are often harvested before the garlic bulb develops so that all of the plant’s energy can be redirected back into bulb growth, resulting in bigger better bulbs. The scapes have a mild garlic flavor and are often used a lot like chives. They go great in stir-fries, soups, salads, and pesto. With similar nutritional benefits to garlic bulbs, garlic scapes are worth experimenting with!

Get your garlic on this week with these garlic-inspired recipes:

Garlic Scape Pesto

Ingredients:

• 1 cup garlic scapes, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, combine garlic scapes, basil, nuts, and Parmesan cheese. Pulse until finely chopped.
2. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Serve the garlic scape pesto tossed with pasta, spread on bread or crackers, or as a topping for grilled meats or vegetables.

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower

Ingredients:

• 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, toss cauliflower florets with minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
3. Spread the cauliflower mixture in a single layer on a baking sheet.
4. Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and golden brown, stirring halfway through.
5. Serve the roasted garlic cauliflower as a flavorful side dish or as part of a grain bowl.