# Quick! I have Elephant Garlic! What should I do with it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 11, 2009, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029 "2009-03-11T02:10:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/1 "2009-03-11T02:10:52Z")
The title’s pretty self-explanatory, actually. I saw it at the store and had always wanted to try it. How does one cook it? EDIT: First person to make a vampire elephant joke gets a trout to the face. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/2 "2009-03-11T02:18:35Z")
I’ve used it like normal garlic, but I’d imagine roasting or boiling it for a spread would be cool. I find it to be more mild than the Vampire warding variety. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/3 "2009-03-11T02:29:16Z")
Roast it! Spread it on french bread for garlic toast. Add it to mashed potatoes. Squeeze it in you r mouth and kiss your SO… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/4 "2009-03-11T02:53:29Z")
How, exactly, do I roast it? What’s the process? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/5 "2009-03-11T03:00:56Z")
With regular garlic, I cut off the top of the head, to expose the cloves’ heads. Then I drizzle olive oil onto the cloves, and stick it in the oven (usually on a pie pan) while I’m baking something. I think it’s 350 for half an hour or so. When the whole head has softened, remove from oven and let cool. Squeeze the paste into some softened butter and mash up. Spread this on some crusty French or Italian bread slices. Add some parsley or Italian seasoning mix if you like. Run under broiler until the bread toasts a bit. THIS is true garlic bread. And you will never be happy with grocery store “garlic spreads” again. Fortunately, this stuff is very easy to make, because now you have a new addiction. Regular garlic turns very mild after it’s roasted, and I’ve never tried roasting elephant garlic. I think that I would also try roasting a chicken with elephant garlic. Chicken really needs some garlic or onion to really shine. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/6 "2009-03-11T03:08:12Z")
Oh. I should add that traditionally, one uses olive oil to make the garlic spread, instead of butter. I just vastly prefer the taste of butter. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/7 "2009-03-11T03:08:35Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > The title’s pretty self-explanatory, actually. I saw it at the store and had always wanted to try it. How does one cook it? > > EDIT: First person to make a vampire elephant joke gets a trout to the face. From what I’ve read–that is just a big ol’ garlic bulb! so make a big old something with garlic. And I want to make an elephant joke b/c I remember loving those, but I wont. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/8 "2009-03-11T03:08:38Z")
Use more of it. It’s tasteless. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/9 "2009-03-11T03:32:18Z")
You should… > [@appleciders](#): > > EDIT: First person to make a vampire elephant joke gets a trout to the face. er… _walks out of the room quietly_ ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/10 "2009-03-11T21:58:21Z")
**appleciders** –you have no understanding of the _true power_ of the Dark Side of the Trout. {Draws Lightsabre} “You boil it with the elephant. The elephant should be boiled whole.” ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/11 "2009-03-11T23:13:51Z")
i wondering what sort of bloodsucking apparatus an elephant vampire has. would it be the tusks? or a new thing located in the trunk. flees before trout arrival. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/12 "2009-03-11T23:19:29Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > How, exactly, do I roast it? What’s the process? I wrap it up in aluminum foil and cook it on the grill with the steaks until it is squishy. Lynn Bondini’s method sounds great if you don’t have charcoal going. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/13 "2009-03-12T02:43:32Z")
Make garlic soup. Will post recipe when I find it. The milder flavour of the elephant garlic is perfect for the recipe (when I find it) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/14 "2009-03-12T03:01:35Z")
> [@madrabbitwoman](#): > > Make garlic soup. > Will post recipe when I find it. Give! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/15 "2009-03-12T03:09:08Z")
Why “Quick!”? It’s not like the elephant garlic is going anywhere, is it? ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/16 "2009-03-12T03:12:10Z")
Dude, it’s elephant garlic. It’s got legs like tree trunks! No, I’m going on vacation Saturday. I’m sure it’ll be fine when I get back, but I’m eager to try it. ---
**Author:** ![hellpaso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@hellpaso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hellpaso)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/17 "2009-03-12T05:42:08Z")
I just roasted some this evening. The top of the bulb cut off, drizzled in olive oil, and roasted at 325 for about an hour or so. We thought it was a little too mild. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/18 "2009-03-12T06:25:49Z")
This is the closest to the recipe I used that I have been able to find [http://www.chow.com/recipes/10154](http://www.chow.com/recipes/10154) ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/19 "2009-03-12T06:39:03Z")
First, mince the garlic. Next, chop one whole elephant into quarters, reserving the tusks, trunk and ears for stock. Then brown lightly in oil and the minced garlic, making sure that there are no pink areas remaining on the elephant… ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-have-elephant-garlic-what-should-i-do-with-it/489029/20 "2009-03-12T10:57:36Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Use more of it. It’s tasteless. And has a weird bitter taste note to boot. Why this horrible stuff even exists I don’t know. Whats the selling point? “Buy this huge, weak garlic with the bitter finish”!