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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Sparkly on February 23, 2007, 21:09:06

Title: elephant garlic
Post by: Sparkly on February 23, 2007, 21:09:06
anyone grow elephant garlic? any good? know of any good suppliers?
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Rosyred on February 23, 2007, 21:10:24
Was you watching ready steady cook?
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Marymary on February 23, 2007, 21:24:36
I've got some in now - from the Isle of White people I think.  I love the stuff & usually bring lots back from France but we've not been for a while.  :'(
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Sparkly on February 23, 2007, 21:29:05
Was you watching ready steady cook?

maybe  :P
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: kelpdeva on February 23, 2007, 21:38:06
Why boffer!!!!
 there's loads of wild ramson just popping through in the woods (or wild garlic) or is  that the same as elephant garlic ?
 Get the children to go for a walk and forage ( Boys love it)(real hunter gatherer  stuff)
 Go with dog and plastic bag and remember pick in non poluted areas
bring home -> put small amount of oil in frying pan
      ->tair the leaves with hands and put in frying pan
    ->mix 3 eggs in jug (or bowl)(for medium size omellet) and pour on the ramson (wild garlic)
    ->cook until  the underneath is firm (I like a soft middle and by the time you) fold it in half ( its cooked)
   ->eat with loads of tom kechup and sweet chilli sauce
FABO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Deb P on February 24, 2007, 09:10:55
Elephant garlic produces huge bulbs; I think it is more related to leeks/onions than garlic, has a much milder taste.

I grew some from the IOW last year, not cheap, but grew well and we ate the lot as soon as they were ready! This year I managed to find some in a local garden centre, much cheaper and more cloves; I'm going to plant them soon at the lottie when it stops raining..... ::)
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Mouseski on February 24, 2007, 10:07:53
We bought ours from wilkos last year great crop - we are replanting the little bulblet scale things that grew this year, not sure how cussessful that will be, but there are signs of life already.

Tasted very good :), much milder than normal garlic.
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on February 24, 2007, 10:34:51
It barely tastes of garlic at all, but it's a nice addition to whatever you're cooking. I tried it for the first time last year, and planted most of what I grew. It's quite unlike Ramsons, which is a much smaller plant, and definitely a garlic. I don't quite know how to classify the heffalump sort.
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Hyacinth on February 24, 2007, 10:42:16
I bought a bulb in NY 3 years ago - it was imported from Chile. That original bulb has had cloves saved, grown on,  and has been distributed amongst my friends here over the past 2 years.....my own saved bulb is up and doing nicely in the garden - another 5 big bulbs on the way. KP had the 'runt of the litter' last year - think it weighed in at 8oz, btw. 8)

It's lovely roasted....that creamy mildly-flavoured centre that oozes out onto hot toast.........priceless!
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Marymary on February 24, 2007, 14:32:30
I agree it's wonderful roasted maybe then in a roasted butternut soup.
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: MrsKP on February 24, 2007, 17:10:16
"Runty" has finally popped through to say hello !  I gave one clove away and the other four are now showing.

Think they've wandered though.  I don't recall planting them THAT far to the right in the tub.

 ::)
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Rosyred on February 27, 2007, 14:27:49
Just to let you know that Wyevale have these in, 3 cloves for £2.99 just had to buy some to try. It says plant in Spring.
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Kea on February 27, 2007, 15:21:26
I grew some last year. Yesterday I was working at my allotment and I noticed I had missed harvesting one and it was growing again. I like a strong garlic flavour though and I found it a bit mild.
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on February 28, 2007, 07:26:42
Just to let you know that Wyevale have these in, 3 cloves for £2.99 just had to buy some to try. It says plant in Spring.

The sooner they're in the better. I don't know why they tell you to plant garlic in spring; you can often get away with it, but it's always better planted earlier.
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Rosyred on February 28, 2007, 08:50:07
I was surpised Robert too as I thought you needed a frost to make the blub form cloves. I brought some more garlic too while I was there so I check the difference between Autumn & spring planting.
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