This Elephant Garlic recipe is one of the most unique sides you can serve. Grilled with fresh herbs, it's also a lovely topping to chicken, meat and pasta dishes. So what is Elephant Garlic? Find out below . . .
When my husband goes to the Farmer's Market, he inevitably comes home with a handful of produce that's never quite what he's expecting it to be. It's hilarious.
I could give you some background on his comical produce identifying history, like the time he complimented the grilled peaches, that were in fact butternut squash -- but, let's just get to what he does at the market, shall we?
This past Sunday, after he got home from the market, I saw him looking rather curiously at a very large garlic clove.
After peeling it, he looked even more stumped.
When I asked if he meant to get Elephant Garlic, he said, "oh, is that what's going on here?"
After deciding it was too daunting for him to use, I took it over and made this awesomely, delicious Elephant Garlic recipe.
What is Elephant Garlic?
- Interestingly, Elephant garlic isn't really true garlic -- it's actually a variety of leek.
- The cloves are about four times as big as those in a typical head of garlic, and though more mild, the flavor is more similar to garlic than to a leek.
What's in this Elephant Garlic recipe?
- Elephant garlic
- olive oil
- fresh thyme
- fresh oregano
- salt, pepper
I love fresh herbs with garlic, and the smoky flavor from the grill is an ingredient in and of itself. Since the cloves are so big, it's easy to grill them.
Uses for Grilled Elephant Garlic
Grilled garlic is a super tasty, unique garnish or condiment for so many dishes. I love topping meat stews with it, and it's divine in salads, pastas and over steak or chicken.
What to Serve with it:
I hope you enjoy this Herb Grilled Elephant Garlic recipe!
Herb Grilled Elephant Garlic Recipe
Makes about ½ cup
Ingredients
- 1 head Elephant garlic
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, washed and dried, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, washed and dried, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cut the root end off each of the garlic cloves, and then peel them.
- Lay each clove on its flattest side, and then use a very sharp knife to thinly cut them into approximately â…›-inch thick slices.
- Preheat a stove-top grill.
- In a small bowl, toss the garlic slices with the oil, herbs and sugar. Then spread them out evenly on a large plate, and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place the garlic slices on the grill once it's very hot. You should hear a sizzling sound — if you don’t, it’s not hot enough yet. Wait for the sizzle! Grill just long enough to mark the bottom of the slices, about 2 minutes. (Don't let them get too dark or they'll be bitter.) Carefully flip them over and grill the other side for about 2 more minutes -- again, just to mark them.
- Remove the garlic from the grill and let it cool to room temperature. (Store in a tightly sealed container for up to 4 days until you're ready to use.)
NUTRITION
Cooking On The Weekends is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Â
Amy | The Cook Report
Oh wow I've never heard of elephant garlic! I'm obsessed with garlic though so this sounds perfect for me 🙂
valentina
I hope you come across some and try it, Amy. Thank you for the visit.
Jacqueline Debono
I'm not sure I've ever seen elephant garlic here in Italy but going to look out for it. Sounds delicious! I often roast normal garlic cloves unpeeled. My Italian hubby loves them but they do taste quite garlicky!
valentina
Love that your husband does that. Delicious! Hope you see them sometime in Italy. Thank you for stopping by. (Wishing I was there at a sweet little café with a macchiato.:-D
Nathan Wyper
This sounds so interesting and looks delicious, Definitely need to look for this garlic!
valentina
Hope you find it and enjoy! Thanks.
Dannii
This looks beautiful, and it would be great to serve on a tapas plate.
valentina
Oooh, love that idea. Lovely for a tapa. Thank you!
Patty
Very interesting post! I'd never heard of this elephant garlic, I'll be on the lookout for it, it sounds so delicious, I really want to make your recipe, pinned it!
valentina
Thank you, Patty. Hope you come across it and enjoy cooking with it. 🙂
JPWalton
I find elephant garlic really (REALLY) easy to grow here in the NW. I cut the buds before they flower and stir fry them in olive oil. Yum. The cloves get much bigger than those that flower. I grow for food - my husband likes the big purple flower. They also seem to be good as bug and deer repellant...
valentina
What great information, Janie. Thank you! I might just give it a go in my garden! 🙂