Black Garlic Pappardelle Pasta highlights the unique and delicious flavor of the often mysterious black garlic. This is a beautiful, vegetarian, main course dish that will wow everyone! Black garlic recipes are becoming more popular, as more people are learning about the super cool ingredient. 
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I’ve known about black garlic for a long time, but we only met a few years ago — and I might just be in love.
Since I’m a chef and feel I should know these things, it is with some embarrassment that I admit to you, that I originally thought black garlic was another garlic variety that simply was black.
(Okay, this is not quite as embarrassing as when I was a kid and asked my dad if Pasadena was in China — but that’s a whole other story, and clearly not relevant!)
So What Exactly is Black Garlic?
Black Garlic is common garlic that is aged for about a month, as it’s fermented under high heat. This special process transforms the garlic into a very dark brownish-black color. It also creates a soft texture and sweet taste while it removes the strong smell and sharpness. Imagine a molasses-like richness with tangy garlic undertones.
With the consistency of regular roasted garlic, it almost tastes like creamy, mild balsamic vinegar.
In my research, it seems most black garlic recipes don’t use quite as much as I do in this black garlic pasta — though, with such a delicious not-too-strong flavor, I think it should really be highlighted as the star ingredient. I think it’s the perfect amount.
You might find black garlic in the specialty section of the produce department at your market, and I often see it available at Trader Joe’s. If you can’t find it, and want to see what it’s all about, you can order it from here.
You can always add roasted chicken and a handful or two of spinach to this Black Garlic Pappardelle Pasta recipe, for an even heartier meal.
And a couple more delicious black garlic recipes for you to enjoy:
- Black Garlic, Sesame, Shiitake Black Cod from Cooking with Books
- Grilled Potato Salad with Black Garlic Vinaigrette from Feasting at Home
This recipe highlights the unique and delicious flavor of black garlic. This is a beautiful, vegetarian, main course dish that will wow everyone!
- 1 pound dry Pappardelle pasta
- about 3 tablespoons olive oil , for the pasta and the pan
- 3/4 cup shallots, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup black garlic cloves (about 2 heads)
- 3/4 cup dry white wine
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
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Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water until it's aldente. (Aldente means "to the tooth." The pasta should be tender, but with a bite to it.) Drain the pasta, toss with a bit of olive oil, cover and set aside.
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Coat the bottom of a medium to large sauté pan with olive oil, and place it over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until they are soft and beginning to brown, about 4 minutes.
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While the shallots are cooking, peel all the garlic and then roughly chop it, keeping it in relatively large chunks.
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Add the garlic and toss it with the shallots. Then add the wine, turn the heat to high, and let it reduce by about 1/3.
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Add the butter and swirl the pan around until it's melted into the wine.
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Season generously to taste with salt and pepper. (Here's how.)
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Add the cooked pasta to the pan and very gently, toss everything together. (If the pan isn't big enough, pour everything into a large bowl to mix it.)
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Season to taste again if necessary, and serve.
Nancy Rose Eisman says
October 9, 2013 at 7:09 pmMust make this asap. Thanks Valentina!
valentina says
October 10, 2013 at 5:24 amThank YOU!
Judy at Two Broads Abroad says
October 9, 2013 at 10:26 pmAh, the mystery of black garlic solved. Now I just need to get some to make this delicious dish.
valentina says
October 10, 2013 at 5:24 amClearly a mystery to me until now. 😉
Coco in the Kitchen says
October 10, 2013 at 7:38 pmI love that you share your discoveries w us.
Heard of black garlic, even thought about making some at home, but it
sounds really complicated.
V, this dish looks KILLER delicious.
I can’t wait to try it. Maybe Friday night!
xo
valentina says
October 11, 2013 at 8:10 amThanks, Colette! 🙂
Deb says
October 11, 2013 at 4:01 pmI’ve been shy about trying black garlic as well. Your post is just the inspiration I need to give it a try! A aromatic dinner recipe my family would enjoy!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
October 12, 2013 at 4:57 pmNow that’s something I haven’t heard of a lot.. THANK you so much for introducing me to a new technique. It almost is like burnt garlic which I love, the sweet taste is so good. I cannot wait to order some. I am curious about the process of aging garlic, will get into some research now.
Have a great weekend.
valentina says
October 21, 2013 at 11:49 amAsha — I hope you try the black garlic, it’s truly a unique flavor that’s delicious. Thanks for checking out my recipe. 🙂
Evelyn says
August 15, 2016 at 3:39 pmI recently purchased a container of Black Garlic Paste. I was looking for recipes with black garlic paste and eliconi pasta when I found your recipe. I will be using eliconi pasta from this site: http://www.belfrantoiousa.com/eliconi-pasta/
and black garlic paste from this site:
https://www.farmfreshduck.com/77-organic-black-garlic .
Thanks for the great recipe!
valentina says
August 16, 2016 at 7:53 pmThanks so much, Evelyn! Great resources for everyone! 🙂
Laura says
April 15, 2018 at 6:27 amGot hooked on Black Garlic last Fall when I discovered it at Wegmans grocery store. I did an adapted version of this dish last night and it was fantastic. If you can’t find Black Garlic in a store, I highly recommend Ribbon Road Farm’s black garlic. Family-owned and operated certified-organic farm in NY (not using garlic from China like in the link someone shared above). Support US, family owned farms and treat yourself to great new culinary experience — http://www.ribbonroadfarm.com/index.php/products/organic-black-garlic
valentina says
May 9, 2018 at 3:00 pmThanks so much! So happy you tried this yummy recipe. 🙂
Ro Stone says
May 13, 2018 at 12:14 pmOMG, I just spent the most fun 1/2 hour in the kitchen making this dish. Utterly delicious. And the BLACK GARLIC – WOW – so luscious! Luscious! That black garlic was so fun to peel and discover what was inside. LOVE THIS RECIPE.
valentina says
May 13, 2018 at 6:07 pmWow, thank you so much Ro! You’ve made my Mother’s Day complete! XOXOXO
Cucina Rumori says
October 4, 2018 at 2:12 pmThank you for this luxurious recipe! I made some homemade pappardelle and just ate the meal of my life!!! Will be posting very soon! Loved this blog post!
valentina says
October 4, 2018 at 6:11 pmSo happy you loved this! And even better with homemade pasta! 🙂