Garlic Greens

Carol Ann Kates

Garlic greens are a spring culinary treat. This hard-to-find delicacy is now available at our farmers market. Before it begins to form cloves, garlic resembles baby leeks or scallions.  Baby garlic will have a long green top, a white bulb, and a soft, mild flavor.  Both the green top and the bulb are edible. You can use garlic greens in any recipe that calls for mature garlic.  The results, however, will produce a more delicate flavor.

In case you've never used this variety before, here are some suggestions. You can mince green garlic and add it to salads or your favorite salad dressing recipe.  This vegetable is heavenly when diced and sautéed in butter and added to omelets, frittatas, or soufflés.  It's the perfect addition to mashed potatoes or homemade potato soup and a fun ingredient to any stir-fry recipe.  

If you've never purchased this product before, chose ones with crisp green tops and a firm white base.

For best results, place garlic greens in a plastic bag in the vegetable crisper of your refrigerator. They should keep nicely for up to 5 days. 

Carol Ann Kates is the author of award-winning cookbook, Secret Recipes from the Corner Market, selected as one of the top ten favorite cookbooks by the Denver Post Food Staff.