Garlic Harvest

It’s a special time of year in the garden at home.  The first garlic is ready to harvest.  Earlier than year’s past, this year’s first garlic was planted from random cloves left behind from the previous year’s harvest.  The heads are smaller but the flavor can’t be beat. The braided string of garlic hangs on the garden gate drying in the sun and filling the air with its sweet garlic scents.

Garlic has been used throughout history for both its culinary and medicinal properties.  China, the world leader in garlic production, uses garlic liberally throughout its cuisine.  Fermented with chilies and salt, Lan Chi Garlic Chile Paste becomes the base for many of our Sichuan dishes at Big Bowl.  Farmers Market Chicken, a simple dish featuring seasonal produce, gets a boost from the addition of a smashed clove of fresh garlic.  Chopped garlic, ginger, soy, and vinegar are the classic dip sauce for Big Bowl steamed dumplings and potstickers.

Look for fresh garlic heads at local farmers markets and in seasonal specials at Big Bowl.