Elephant Garlic: Big Cloves, Mild Flavor
A giant allium with a gentle, sweet garlicky taste—great roasted, confited, or thinly sliced raw.
What Is Elephant Garlic?
Elephant garlic is a **large-bulbed allium** (closer to leek than true garlic) with **huge cloves** and a **mild, sweet flavor**. It adds garlicky nuance without overpowering dishes.
Nutrition (per 100 g, raw, approx.)
- **Calories:** ~120 kcal
- **Carbohydrates:** ~26 g (incl. fructans)
- **Protein:** ~4 g
- **Fat:** ~0.5 g
- **Fiber:** ~2 g
- **Vitamin C:** ~15 mg
- **Manganese & selenium:** trace
- **Key compound:** lower **allicin** than common garlic
Benefits
- **Gentle flavor** for people sensitive to pungent garlic.
- Provides **vitamin C** and **antioxidants** that support **immunity**.
- **Versatile**: delicious roasted, puréed or shaved raw for aromatics.
Possible Drawbacks
- Contains **FODMAP fructans** → can cause bloating for IBS-prone individuals.
- **Lower allicin** than regular garlic → milder potential antimicrobial effect.
- Raw amounts may irritate **sensitive stomachs**.
Culinary Uses & Tips
- **Roast whole** until soft, then spread like butter.
- **Confit in oil** for silky cloves; use the infused oil for dressings.
- **Slice paper-thin** over salads, pizza, carpaccio.
- Mash into **aioli, compound butter, creamy soups**.
- Pairs with **potatoes, mushrooms, poultry, seafood**.
Summary
Elephant garlic offers a big visual impact and mellow garlic character—ideal when you want aroma without sharp heat.
- 1. Elephant Garlic
Elephant garlic (slonovski luk): vrlo krupne glavice s blagim, slatkastim okusom; srodniji poriluku nego običnom luku; niži sadržaj alicina pa je blaži za nepce, odličan pečen, konfitiran ili sirov u tankim listićima.