Elephant Garlic – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What is elephant garlic?

Elephant garlic gets its name from its appearance. Elephant garlic looks like an oversized bulb of garlic, although the two are actually unrelated. Elephant garlic is instead a variety of garden leek that can grow up to 6 to 7 times the size of garlic and only produces around 5 to 6 cloves. Elephant garlic is sometimes referred to as giant garlic or french garlic.

Elephant garlic typically grows to be around 10cm in diameter and can weigh up to 1lb. While there is some variation in the bulb size, they are usually the size of a softball. Similar to garlic bulbs, elephant garlic cloves are wrapped in a thin, papery film that’s yellow or white. They also grow long, flat stalks and purple flowers that are typically removed before making it to the market.

Elephant garlic tastes somewhere between a leek and a mild form of garlic, and when cooked, it can also taste similar to an onion. It typically pairs well with white fish and poultry. Elephant garlic can be eaten raw or cooked, although raw elephant garlic retains more flavor than cooked elephant garlic.

Where did elephant garlic originate from?

Elephant garlic originated from the Eastern Mediterranean and Central Asia, but it’s thought to be native to China. However, elephant garlic can generally be grown anywhere with a temperate climate and mild winters. For this reason, elephant garlic can be found worldwide, in places such as Europe, Russia, South America, Australia, and South Africa.

What are the benefits of eating elephant garlic?

Generally speaking, elephant garlic cloves contain vitamins A, B, C, and E as well as minerals, proteins, and the chemical compound allicin. Allicin is responsible for elephant garlic’s odor and has antibacterial and antioxidant properties that help to soothe inflammation.

How is elephant garlic grown?

Elephant garlic is a perennial plant, meaning that the same plant can grow and produce bulbs year after year despite going dormant in the winter months. Over time, elephant garlic plants split off underground and form new plants with their own bulbs and flowering bodies. In most cases, an elephant garlic clove will produce a new bulb within the first year.

If you only plant part of the stalk, it usually also produces a small bulb with a single clove within the first year, with more cloves to form in the following year. Elephant garlic thrives in temperate climates with mild winters and requires protection from extreme winter conditions.

When is elephant garlic in season?

Elephant garlic can be harvested in the spring, summer, or fall months. A harvest really depends on when the elephant garlic was first planted. Elephant garlic planted in the spring months can be harvested as early as 90 days from the initial planting. Elephant garlic planted in the fall will grow throughout the winter months and can be harvested around 8 months from the initial planting time. Elephant garlic grown quickly in the spring typically produces single bulbs, while elephant garlic grown over the winter months typically has more time to mature.

What should I look for when buying elephant garlic?

If you’d like to purchase elephant garlic through Instacart, be sure to let your shopper know what to look for when browsing the produce section. Some tips for selecting a fresh bulb of elephant garlic that is right for you include:

• Firm head
• No soft spots
• No signs of mold
• No signs of the bulb being dried out
• No green shoots coming from the bulb
• Large bulb if you’re looking for quantity
• Small bulb if you’re looking for a stronger flavor

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for elephant garlic via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for elephant garlic.

How to store elephant garlic

Elephant garlic can have a long shelf life, but only if it is stored properly. Unpeeled elephant garlic that is kept cold in the refrigerator can last around 2 months, while frozen elephant garlic can last around 4–6 months. Elephant garlic that is kept at room temperature can last anywhere from 3 weeks to 7 weeks, depending on the region. Elephant garlic must be kept dry to prevent mold and rot while in storage. Unpeeled and intact elephant garlic will last longer than peeled and cut garlic.

How to tell if elephant garlic is bad

Elephant garlic will display very clear signs of decay that make it easy to tell when it is going bad. To make sure your elephant garlic remains fresh, be on the lookout for the following signs of decay or aging:

• Brown spots on cloves
• Green shoots sprouting from the center of the bulb
• Soft or mushy spots
• Sharp or sour smell
• Wilted skin

What can I substitute for elephant garlic?

Elephant garlic does not have a very strong flavor. It has a mild garlic or onion taste. For this reason, some viable options for substitutes include:

• Garlic. Since regular garlic has a stronger flavor, you will either want to use less garlic as a substitute or slow cook the garlic to nullify the flavor.
• Leek. Leeks will provide a similar consistency to elephant garlic but could be paired with garlic to mimic the flavor of elephant garlic better.
• Onion. Onions and shallots are somewhat similar in flavor, but they may also benefit from being coupled with garlic to mimic the flavor of elephant garlic.

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