pickled garlic

[sad old git]

Hello. A short while ago I bought a large jar of pickled garlic cloves and have found them delicious to eat straight from the jar like sweets.However I have found that when adding them to cooking dishes they don't seem to impart as strong a flavour as I would expect.As I said they are particularly good to eat like sweets and could be quite addictive (nobody comes near me these days) but maybe the pickling process weakens the strength.Anyone had any experience of this?. Incidentally I have only ever seen them at Asda in their World foods aisle.

[bushbaby_de]

I sometimes use the lazy garlic in a jar and I agree that its not as pungent. The vinegar must do something to them.

[HowardKennitby]

Does the blurb on the jar say that they are best for any particular purpose. I have never seen pickled garlic for sale.

[EcclesCake]

They are milder as a consequence of the pickling process.

You will find them at farmers markets in the south, especially markets visited by the Isle of Wight Garlic farm. Many farmers markets and delis sell them across the country. If you are in Scotland look out for The Really Garlicky Garlic Co, and if in the south west there is a Devon/Dorset garlic specialist. Can't speak for growers in the Midlands.

[pastafreak]

I've seen garlic in oil...but from what I've read it can be dangerous to use in cooking,as the combination plus heat can lead to the development of botulism.
Vinegar on the other hand preserves the garlic.

[sad old git]

Thank you all for your replies. I guess I'll keep using fresh garlic for cooking and the pickled ones for a nibble and to keep the vampires away they really are mildly delicious.Give them a try!

[Sir Alec]

I have made my own and have used these, chopped up to make delicious salads.

[Andyvon]

Every week I spend £5 on a bag of about 100 garlic cloves in paprika which I buy from the market. I eat those like sweets too and the bag lasts about a week. I'm always in the fridge for another clove! Although the cloves aren't cooked they are not as powerful as raw garlic and I don't use them for cooking. I use raw garlic cloves I've just unpeeled for cooking - which then lose something of the pungency of raw uncooked cloves (which I also love).

It might sound daft but I think it must be possible to become addicted to garlic. I'm sure I am. I usually use a whole bulb of garlic in each dish, I eat about 20 cloves in paprika per night and I eat four raw cloves after every meal. My wife and father say I smell of the stuff but I can't leave it alone! Are you the same Sadoldgit?

[Sir Alec]

Garlic is very good for you and staves off colds and flu. I love it, but I know what you mean about the smell.

[Andyvon]

Quite right Sir Alec!

Garlic is a natural anticeptic and antibiotic. My wife seems to get two or three colds a year but I haven't had one for years. When we go abroad my wife often gets bitten all night by mosquitos but I never get a single bite! I'm sure the insects smell the garlic and stay away. I also heard that garlic is also very good for removing cholesterol from the body.

[HowardKennitby]

I use garlic puree which comes in tubes mixed with veg oil. Much easier to deal with.

[mccfluff]

i thought i liked garlic until i read andyvons answer...

olives stuffed with garlic are heavenly

[ChuckFickens]

"I eat about 20 cloves in paprika per night"

Jeezus!!

[sad old git]

To All Garlicites everywhere thank for your responses and yes andyvon I do get told my breath is a bit smelly but my wife still loves me.I guess after 53 years she must be used to it....ATB.