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  • Writer's pictureJere Folgert

Green Garlic

Most gardeners grow garlic for the prized bulbs and cloves. Though, green garlic is also a treat. Around June, the just-dig freshness of green garlic is a welcome ingredient for our kitchen recipes.




Green garlic (also called young garlic or spring garlic) is simply garlic that hasn't fully matured. We can substitute garlic for green garlic. Any recipe that calls for garlic — sautés, sauces, roasts, and more — can be substituted with green garlic. Since it's a bit milder, you may want to use more to get a stronger flavor.


Garlic is typically planted in the autum, right around Halloween. After spending a long winter under the snow, the garlic cloves grow into a full-size plant above the ground and produce a new bulb that holds many cloves within their papery skin.


Green garlic is often planted with the intention of a spring harvest, the result being an immature version of the massive garlic bulb we are used to. Because the garlic plant is typically young and tender in early June, we can use the entire plant including the tender greens and the smaller bulb that is forming in the soil. All parts of the plant can be integrated into a recipe in the same way we would use garlic, onions or scallions. Mince, chop, dice and sizzle with olive oil.


Green garlic has a mild, garlicky flavor that is perfect for adding a touch of flavor to dishes without being overpowering. It has a slightly sweet and grassy flavor, with a hint of garlic. Green garlic is less pungent than mature garlic, making it a good choice for people who are sensitive to the strong flavor of garlic.

Here are some ways to describe the taste of green garlic:

  • Mild garlicky flavor

  • Slightly sweet and grassy

  • Hint of garlic

  • Less pungent than mature garlic

  • Good for people who are sensitive to the strong flavor of garlic

Green garlic, also known as young garlic or spring garlic, is a young garlic plant that is harvested before the bulbs have a chance to fully develop. It has a mild, garlicky flavor that is perfect for adding a touch of flavor to dishes without being overpowering. Green garlic is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K. It is also a good source of fiber and manganese.


Green garlic is a versatile and delicious vegetable that can be used in a variety of ways. It is a good source of nutrients and has a number of health benefits. If you can find it, I encourage you to give green garlic a try.

Here are some ways to use green garlic:

  • Sautéed green garlic: This is a classic way to enjoy green garlic. Simply sauté the leaves and bulbs in olive oil until they are tender.

  • Green garlic pesto: This is a delicious and versatile pesto that can be used on pasta, pizza, or sandwiches. To make green garlic pesto, simply combine the leaves and bulbs of green garlic with olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts.

  • Green garlic soup: This is a hearty and flavorful soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. To make green garlic soup, simply sauté the leaves and bulbs of green garlic in olive oil. Then, add chicken or vegetable broth, potatoes, carrots, and celery. Simmer until the vegetables are tender, then puree the soup until smooth.

  • Green garlic salad: This is a simple and refreshing salad that is perfect for a spring or summer meal. To make green garlic salad, simply combine the leaves and bulbs of green garlic with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions. Dress with a simple vinaigrette.

  • Green garlic omelet: This is a quick and easy breakfast or brunch option. Simply sauté the leaves and bulbs of green garlic in olive oil. Then, add eggs and cook to desired doneness.

  • Green garlic stir-fry: This is a healthy and flavorful stir-fry that is perfect for a weeknight meal. Simply sauté the leaves and bulbs of green garlic in olive oil. Then, add your favorite vegetables and protein and cook until everything is tender.






Green garlic is best harvested when the leaves are about 6 inches long and the bulbs underground are about the size of a golf ball. To harvest, simply dig up the plant with a garden fork or shovel. Be sure to leave some of the roots attached so that the plant can regrow. Here are some tips for harvesting green garlic:

  • Harvest in the morning, when the plants are cool and the soil is moist.

  • Use a sharp knife or garden shears to cut the leaves and bulbs from the plant.

  • Be sure to leave some of the roots attached so that the plant can regrow.

  • Wash the green garlic thoroughly before using.

  • Store green garlic in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or leave them in a paper bag away from direct sunlight and heat.


Many cultures eat green garlic, inclduing the Chinese. Laba garlic is abundant in micronutrients such as kalium, ferrum, selenium, zinc and folic acid. So, aside from eating it directly as an appetizer, it is also used in Chinese medicine to prevent colds and to lower blood pressure. Note that eating too much laba garlic will make one feel weary.


Why is green garlic consumed? First, it is a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. Second, it is a good source of nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K. Third, it has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including boosting the immune system, lowering cholesterol, reducing inflammation, and protecting the heart.

Here are some of the reasons why Chinese people eat green garlic:

  • It is a delicious and versatile vegetable. Green garlic has a mild, garlicky flavor that is perfect for adding a touch of flavor to dishes without being overpowering. It can be used in a variety of dishes, such as stir-fries, soups, salads, and sauces.

  • It is a good source of nutrients. Green garlic is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K. It is also a good source of fiber and manganese.

  • It has been shown to have a number of health benefits. Green garlic has been shown to boost the immune system, lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and protect the heart.

In addition to these reasons, green garlic is also a traditional ingredient in many Chinese dishes. For example, it is often used in spring rolls, dumplings, and noodles. Green garlic is also a popular ingredient in Chinese medicine. It is believed to have a number of health benefits, including promoting digestion, relieving pain, and boosting the immune system.


Here are some interesting facts about green garlic:

  • Green garlic is a young garlic plant that is harvested before the bulbs have a chance to fully develop.

  • Green garlic has a mild, garlicky flavor that is perfect for adding a touch of flavor to dishes without being overpowering.

  • Green garlic is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K.

  • Green garlic has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including boosting the immune system, lowering cholesterol, reducing inflammation, and protecting the heart.

  • Green garlic is a popular ingredient in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisine.

  • Green garlic is typically available in the spring and early summer.

  • Green garlic can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.



 


A Cute Story About Green Garlic


Alli loved gardening. She had a small garden in her backyard, and she loved to spend her free time tending to her plants. She grew all sorts of vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and of course, garlic.


One spring day, Alli was out in her garden, harvesting green garlic. Green garlic is a young garlic plant that is harvested before the bulbs have a chance to fully develop, and the plants are young and tender. It has a mild, garlicky flavor that is perfect for adding a touch of flavor to dishes without being overpowering.


Alli was excited to harvest her green garlic. She knew that it would be delicious in her favorite dishes, such as sautéed green garlic, green garlic pesto, and green garlic soup. Alli carefully dug up the green garlic plants, being careful not to damage the plant. She washed the green garlic in cold water and then trimmed off the ends. Alli was so happy with her harvest. She knew that she would enjoy using the green garlic in her cooking. She couldn't wait to make her favorite dishes with it.


Alli also loved to cook. She had a knack for it, and she loved experimenting with new flavors and ingredients.


Alli decided to try using green garlic in her favorite recipe, which is a pasta dish with shrimp and spinach. She sautéed the green garlic in olive oil until it was tender, then added the shrimp and spinach. She cooked the pasta according to the package directions, then added it to the pan with the shrimp and spinach. She tossed everything together and served it with a side of grated Parmesan cheese.


The dish was delicious! The green garlic added a subtle garlicky flavor to the pasta which was perfect. Alli was so glad that she had tried green garlic, and she knew that she would be using it in her cooking again soon.


Alli's family and friends loved the dish too. They all raved about the flavor of the green garlic, and they asked Alli for the recipe. Alli was happy to share it with them, and she was even happier that she had discovered green garlic. It was a delicious and versatile ingredient that she knew she would enjoy using in her cooking for years to come.


A few days later, Alli harvested more of the green garlic. Alli went inside and started cooking. She made a big pot of green garlic soup. She also made a batch of green garlic pesto. And for dinner, she sautéed some green garlic with some vegetables. She knew she would have to plant more garlic this fall that she could use next year.


Alli and her family enjoyed the green garlic dishes. They were all delicious. Alli was so glad that she had planted green garlic in her garden. It was a delicious and versatile vegetable that she could use in a variety of dishes.


The next day, Alli decided to share some of her green garlic with her neighbors. She went over to their houses and gave them some of her green garlic. Her neighbors were so grateful. They loved the green garlic and thanked Alli for sharing it with them.


Alli was happy to share her green garlic with her neighbors. She knew that they would enjoy it as much as she did.






Mr. Jere Folgert is the owner of GroEat Garlic Farm in Bozeman, Montana. GroEat Farmis a small, sustainable family farm located in the beautiful Hyalite Foothills, in the shadows of the Gallatin Mountain Range. The hardneck varieties that they grow on their farm flourish, due to the combination of the very cold winters, heavy snowpack, moist spring, temperate summers, and the nutrient-rich and dynamic alluvial soils, washed down from the Gallatin Mountain Range.



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