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Produce Briefs...
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Elephant garlic is very large, approximately 10 centimeters in diameter, and averages five cloves per bulb. This softball-sized bulb can weigh as much as one pound, and the bulb wrapper is white to yellow and paper thin. The cloves are milder and sweeter than true garlic varieties and have a yellow hue. Elephant garlic is often thought to have the flavor of onion and leeks mixed with soft notes of garlic.
Seasons/Availability
Elephant garlic is available year-round.
Current Facts
Elephant garlic, botanically classified as Allium ampeloprasum, is not garlic but is a type of leek. Also known as Giant garlic and French garlic, it gets its name from the fact that it looks like a giant clove of common garlic. Unlike true garlic varieties, which are harvested both young and mature and utilized for their scapes and flowers, Elephant garlic is only used for its mature bulbs. In its first year of cultivation, Elephant garlic will only produce one large clove, this is known as "Single Clove Elephant garlic." Only in its second year of growth will Elephant garlic produce multiple cloves.
Nutritional Value
Elephant garlic bulbs are an excellent source of vitamins E, C, and A. Similar to conventional garlic, Elephant garlic also contains allicin, which has been known for its antibacterial properties.
Applications
Elephant garlic can be used raw or in cooked applications as it is often treated as a vegetable versus an herb because it is so mild in flavor. Roasting, baking or grilling will enhance its flavor, and its large size makes it perfect for slicing and deep frying to make garlic chips. It can also be roasted whole and used as a spread on bread. Elephant garlic's mild flavor also makes it ideal to be used raw in salads. Crushing, chopping, pressing or pureeing Elephant garlic releases its essential oils and provides a more assertive flavor than slicing or leaving whole. Use Elephant garlic in any application that you would use true garlic varieties with the knowledge that it will have less pungency. Elephant garlic pairs well with pasta, poultry, parsnips, potatoes, broccoli, and asparagus. Un-cut Elephant garlic will keep for a couple of months when stored in a cool, dry, and dark place away from humidity.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
When Elephant garlic was first discovered growing in 1941 in the United States, garlic was still considered by many to be a food item for the lower classes because of the potent odor it left on breath and skin. As garlic slowly grew in popularity as more consumers used it for flavor and medicinal properties, Nicholas Gardens, the farm who was the first to grow and distribute Elephant garlic on a commercial level, seized this opportunity and began to market the large bulbs. Consumers were enticed by the large size of the wild leek, and due to the mass marketing, Elephant garlic is now a unique item to showcase in the United States.
Geography/History
Elephant garlic is believed to be native to China and was brought to the United States by local immigrants from Czechoslovakia and Northern Yugoslavia. Nicholas Garden nursery, located in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, noticed the enormous garlic that was being grown by the immigrants and saw the market potential for such a unique shape and flavored allium. Elephant garlic was introduced to the commercial and gardening market in 1941. After ten years of commercial growing, the garlic's name was changed from Giant to Elephant, and Nicholas Garden placed newspaper ads to promote it and began selling it throughout the United States and Canada. Elephant garlic seeds are sold around the world and are currently found in Europe, South America, South Africa, Australia, and Russia.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Sorority Cuisine - Kappa Alpha Theta | San Diego CA | 619-339-1924 |
| Town & Country Banquet Beverage | San Diego CA | 8002219730 |
| Clara Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 760-470-9143 |
| InterContinental Banquet Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Rustic Root (5th & J) | San Diego | 619-232-1747 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Grand Hotel Tijuana | TJ TJ | 664-104-7000 |
| Biga | San Diego CA | 949-295-4377 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Elephant Garlic. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Spotted
People have spotted Elephant Garlic using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Puebla del RÃo
Near Sevilla, Andalucía, Spain About 13 days ago, 11/01/18 
Rancho Penasquitos Certified Farmers Market
RFB Family Farm
Near 4S Ranch Pkwy S & Rancho Bernardo Rd, California, United States, Rancho Penasquitos 92139 858-735-5311 About 193 days ago, 5/05/18 Spotter's comments : Elephant Garlic spotted at Rancho Penasquitos Certified Farmers Market. Wegman's - Williamsport Near Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States About 255 days ago, 3/04/18 Evergreen Kosher Market Near Monsey, New York, United States About 301 days ago, 1/17/18 First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op Near Corvallis, Oregon, United States About 393 days ago, 10/17/17 Spotter's comments : Elephant Garlic spotted at First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op. 
Lake City Farmers Market
Alvarez Organic Farm
Near Lake Forest Park, Washington, United States509-830-5242 About 426 days ago, 9/14/17 Spotter's comments : Elephant Garlic spotted at Lake City Farmers Market. wegmans cherry hill Near Woodbury, New Jersey, United States About 586 days ago, 4/07/17 Spotter's comments : Elephant Garlic spotted at wegmans cherry hill. 
Pike Place Market
Frank's Quality Produce
Near Seattle, Washington, United States206-624-5666 About 593 days ago, 3/31/17 Spotter's comments : Elephant Garlic spotted at Pike Place Market. Eat it raw it's HOT and spicy, roasted its lovely and sweet. You can't go wrong! |
