MNN - Mother Nature Network

I recently took several bunches of green garlic home from the farmers market and made it into a simple but delicious soup. Green garlic is basically immature garlic, which is generally pulled to thin the crop in the spring. Mature garlic is generally harvested in the summer. Green garlic has not formed into a bulb yet, and it resembles a green onion. It still has a garlic flavor, but it's much more mild.

 

Green garlic is generally only available at farmers markets, and only in the spring, so if you'd like to enjoy it, do so soon! I find this to be a wonderful ingredient, and perfect for celebrating the spring weather. Here are a few tasty recipes to get you started in your green garlic enjoyment.

 

1. Green Garlic Pesto: Instead of using mature garlic cloves, why not use green garlic for making pesto? You can use that pesto for topping pasta, adding to bowls of soup, or spreading on sandwiches.

 

2. Spinach and Green Garlic Soup: Green garlic is a natural in soup. Like the mature bulb, it can be added to any soup, but this particular soup really highlights its simple flavor.

 

3. Pancetta, Mizuna, and Tomato Sandwiches with Green Garlic Aioli: Here homemade aioli is spiked with green garlic, and then used in a flavorful sandwich.

 

4. Sockeye Salmon with Fava Beans and Green Garlic: This showcase recipe uses three spring ingredients, salmon, fresh fava beans and green garlic. The dish is finished with fresh lemon zest and lots of black pepper.

 

5. Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Chicory and Green Garlic: This simple recipe allows fresh flavors to carry the day.

 

Do you have any favorite recipes to share using green garlic?