Read by Michael Flamel

OOnce upon a time, in a little village nestled in the heart of Italy, there was a gardener named Giuseppe who had a peculiar obsession with garlic. His garden was filled with rows upon rows of garlic, their green shoots reaching for the sky and their bulbs growing plump beneath the earth. The villagers often joked that if you couldn’t find Giuseppe, you only needed to follow the scent of garlic to his garden.

Garlic has been cherished for thousands of years. Its journey began in the mountains of Central Asia, where it grew wild and free. From there, it spread to ancient civilizations. The Egyptians used it to bless their pharaohs, the Greeks fed it to their athletes, and the Romans believed it gave their soldiers strength. Garlic even found its way into folklore, warding off vampires and protecting homes from evil spirits.

Giuseppe loved to share the story of how garlic made its way to Europe with the merchants traveling the Silk Road. They would carry bundles of the aromatic bulbs, trading them for spices, silk, and other treasures. The garlic quickly became a kitchen staple, thanks to its incredible flavor and versatility.

Growing garlic is a labor of love, but it’s also quite simple. Giuseppe would always say, “Plant in the Fall, harvest in the Summer.” He would plant each clove with care, ensuring the pointed end faced upwards. As Winter came and went, he’d watch over his garlic, waiting patiently for the shoots to emerge in Spring. By early Summer, the leaves would start to yellow, signaling that it was time to harvest. With a gentle tug, he’d pull the bulbs from the earth, their papery skins shimmering in the sunlight.

Preserving garlic was another art form Giuseppe mastered. He would braid the stalks together and hang them in his kitchen, where they’d dry out and infuse the air with their pungent aroma. He also pickled cloves in vinegar, made garlic-infused olive oil, and even roasted whole heads to spread on crusty bread.

Cooking with garlic was where Giuseppe truly shined. From Italian pasta dishes to Mexican salsas, garlic was his secret weapon. He’d sauté it in olive oil for a quick spaghetti aglio e olio, blend it into tangy guacamole, and roast it alongside meats and vegetables. Garlic was his kitchen’s superstar, adding depth and flavor to every meal.

Fun facts about garlic? Giuseppe had plenty! Did you know that garlic is a member of the lily family, making it a close relative to onions, leeks, and shallots? Or that the world’s largest garlic bulb weighed a whopping 2 pounds, 10 ounces? And who could forget the annual Garlic Festival in Gilroy, California, where garlic lovers gather to celebrate this beloved bulb?

As Giuseppe’s garden flourished and his recipes delighted the village, he realized that his love for garlic needed to be shared with the world. So, he asked our editors to create the Complete Garlic Guide, a treasure trove of information about this tiny but mighty ingredient. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to know about growing, harvesting, preserving, and cooking with garlic.

And for those who want to take their garlic adventures to the next level, Giuseppe inspired us to create the Garlic Garden to Table Recipe Card Kit. This kit is packed with mouthwatering recipes and printable recipe cards, perfect for sharing your garlic creations with family and friends.

So, dear reader, if you share Giuseppe’s passion for garlic or are simply curious about this flavorful bulb, we invite you to check out our Complete Garlic Guide. Dive into the world of garlic, and discover recipes that will transform your meals and perhaps even make you the garlic hero of your own village. Happy cooking! ❖