Hey Mama~I'm new to this forum and have spent the entire morning reading through the old threads. What an excellent resource. My question is: Have you ever sauteed the garlic shoots? I just returned from a tour of China and the sauteed shoots were a regular on our table. They were crisp tender and oh so yummy. I'm hoping to find a source for the shoots at our local farmers market. PK

More and more farmers markets are featuring things like that, PK. The shoots are usually sold under the name "green garlic," and are like scallions---only garlic instead of onion.

Later in the season they should be selling the scapes as well; yet another gourmet treat.

I have such a hard time getting decent garlic in this town.
The heads are either so dry they are falling apart on their own or they have green shoots sprouting from them. Occasionally I can get decent garlic at Wal Mart but often theirs is just as bad.
A Thai friend of ours grows elephant garlic. I love when she decides to share.