Fresh and Roasted Garlic

Four varieties of garlic from Tranquility Meadows Farm:

From left: Tranquility Meadows 2, Susanville, Rocambole, and Persian Star

Roasting the garlic heads in my mini slow cooker.

While I love the aroma of garlic, not everyone here at home appreciates it. Using the slow cooker outside keeps my family happy and my neighbors intrigued! Simply cut a slice off the top of each head to expose the cloves, brush the tops lightly with olive oil, place in the slow cooker, cover and roast until easily pierced with a fork, 4 to 5 hours on high. To use, just squeeze gently and the cloves will pop out.

Roasted garlic has a mellow flavor that is delicious spread on toast , in hummus, used in bruschetta topping, or added to mashed potatoes.

Whole roasted garlic cloves were kneaded into this rustic loaf of bread.